The Israeli Embassy in London has criticised a pro-Palestinian motion due to be debated by councillors in Dundee.
The motion has been proposed by Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson. It was due to be discussed at a meeting of the city council’s policy and resources committee on Monday evening, but has been rescheduled for mid-June.
It attacks the Israeli government, comparing its treatment of the Palestinians to South Africa under apartheid, and notes the council’s pride in its links with the people of Palestine.
One of Dundee’s twin towns is Nablus in the West Bank. In October the Palestinian flag was raised, along with flags from the nations of the other twin towns, atop Caird Hall.
Last year also saw activist Ali El-Awaisi, who was on the Gaza-bound aid ship stormed by Israeli commandos, invited to speak to councillors.
The motion states, “Dundee City Council, proud of its historic links with the people of Palestine and the past support it has given to the oppressed inhabitants of the region, condemns the government of Israel for its continuing illegal occupation of east Jerusalem and the West Bank and the illegal blockade of Gaza.
“The council recognises that apartheid was not acceptable in South Africa and it is not acceptable in Palestine. The council furthermore notes the government of Israel’s continuing disregard of successive UN resolutions and its continuing failure to comply with the requirements of the Geneva Convention in regard to its treatment of Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories.”
Mr Macpherson has asked council officers to reconsider their ruling that it would be illegal for the local authority to boycott Israeli goods.
An Israeli embassy spokesman said, “We are surprised that at a time when all in the west should be standing behind those literally dying for democracy during the Arab spring, Dundee City Council have chosen to criticise the one country in the entire region where Arabs do have the vote.
“Liberal Democrat Fraser Macpherson appears to be neither liberal or a democrat.”
Mr Macpherson said, “I have raised the issue of the boycotting of Israeli goods with city council officers in light of my concerns over the continuing plight of the Palestinian people and of the humanitarian situation caused by Israel’s continuing blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza blockade by Israel has brought terrible hardship to Gaza’s 1.5m citizens.
“I agree with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has made clear that Israel is in violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law.
“Already a number of local authorities for example Stirling Council and West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland have passed motions calling for an economic boycott of Israeli goods, and I want to see Dundee City Council follow suit.
“The council’s legal officers have told me that, in their view, a boycott would not be legal under current procurement legislation. Both I and the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) want to see the matter debated at the city council’s policy and resources committee, and I am bringing this matter before the council next month, after cross-party discussions take place on this important issue to hopefully achieve a consensus.
“The response of the Israeli embassy is frankly pathetic. It is entirely liberal and democratic to campaign against Israeli’s appalling treatment of the innocent citizens of Gaza. Israel should abide by international law rather than denying Palestinian human rights.”
Kevin Moore, from the SPSC, said he hoped the issue of boycotting Israeli goods would be raised within the council chamber rather than left for officers to decide.
“As the motion says, the Israelis have broken umpteen UN declarations, its illegal colonies in the West Bank continue to develop. Israel should not be allowed to hide behind the facade of normality when they have broken all these laws. A boycott is the best option. Law officers are dictating council policy that should not be allowed.”
A deal was struck recently to end the feud between the two leading Palestinian organisations, Fatah which runs the West Bank and Hamas which runs Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the weekend, “I’d be the first one to champion and to applaud national unity amid the Palestinians for peace. But what we have is not a union for peace. What we have is a pact with Hamas who calls for the eradication of Israel the opposite of peace.”