A delegation of 22 parliamentarians from countries across Europe, Africa and South America vowed support on Thursday for the Jewish state and resolved to defend Israel against boycotts.
As part of the Israel Allies Foundation Jerusalem Chairman's Conference this week, the MPs met with senior Israeli officials and toured the country, specifically several sites in Judea and Samaria.
They presented a resolution to Internal Security and Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan on Thursday declaring their support for Israel as well as opposition to economic discrimination against the Jewish state, which the parliamentarians labelled as reminiscent of anti-Semitic persecution of the past.
In accepting the resolution, Erdan noted that "Israel's enemies have learned that Israel cannot be overcome by conventional warfare or terrorism, which is why they have now "turned to political, economic and legal warfare."
Erdan thanked the parliamentarians for their support, expressing hope Israel would succeed in bringing down "the towers of lies erected by the BDS campaign" with the help of "great friends and allies around the world like yourselves."
The full resolution reads as follows:
Whereas we, the undersigned participants of the Israel Allies Foundation Jerusalem Chairman's Conference, unequivocally declare our support for the Jewish people to live in peace, safety and security in the Land of Israel, and in their undivided capital, Jerusalem;
Whereas members of the Jewish, Christian and other faiths recognize the unique, historic and spiritual significance of the Land of Israel and the City of Jerusalem to the Jewish People;
Whereas boycotts and related tactics have become a tool of political and economic warfare that threaten the sovereignty and security of Israel and her allies and trade partners;
Whereas the State of Israel is the most prominent target of such activity, which has become commonly known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS).
Whereas such boycotts are antithetical to peace, dialogue and reconciliation between peoples.
Whereas the delegitimization and double standards applied to Israel, the nation-state of the Jewish people, are immoral, unjust and reminiscent of anti-Semitic rhetoric applied to the Jewish people in the past.
Whereas companies that refuse to deal with Israel, or entities that do business with and/or in Israel, on the basis of national origin make inconsistent and discriminatory decisions that impair those companies’ ethical and commercial soundness;
Whereas it is the public policy of many countries, as enshrined in their laws, to oppose boycotts against Israel, and national origin discrimination more generally, and their respective governments have concluded as a matter of national trade policy that cooperation with Israel materially benefits their companies and improves their economic competitiveness;
Whereas Israel in particular is known for its dynamic and innovative approach in many business sectors, and therefore a company’s decision to discriminate against Israel, Israeli entities, or entities that do business with and/or in Israel, is an unsound business practice making such company an unduly risky contracting partner or vehicle for investment and is against fundamental WTO rules and international trade laws.
Therefore, we, the undersigned participants of the Israel Allies Foundation Jerusalem Chairman's Conference, call upon our respective governments to unequivocally oppose BDS in all its forms.
More specifically, we call on our respective governments to further promote economic cooperation with Israel and reinforce policies examining a company’s promotion or compliance with unsanctioned boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as part of its consideration in awarding grants and contracts.