UK Commons Passes Controversial Anti-BDS Bill Despite Tory Opposition

The bill, criticized for undermining free speech and international law, now heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, also known as the anti-BDS bill, has passed its third reading in the UK Commons, despite opposition from eight Tory MPs.
The bill seeks to prevent public bodies, including councils, from boycotting, disinvesting or sanctioning a particular international territory, unless endorsed by the government's own foreign policy.
Critics argue the bill undermines free speech, goes against international law, and promotes an odd exceptionalism in UK primary legislation.
The bill is seen as controversial due to its explicit naming of Israel as worthy of special protection, and its inclusion of the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of its definition of Israel.
The bill now heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.