Once again, the Zionists’ attempts to attack local democracy in favour of the interests of amoral capitalism, which believes that the rights of human beings and the victims of Israel’s vicious racism should be subordinated to profit, has been defeated.  This follows on the spectacularly unsuccessful case a few years ago, Fraser v Universities and Colleges Union when the Tribunal ruled that ‘We greatly regret that the
case was ever brought. At heart, it represents an impermissible attempt to achieve
a political end by litigious means.’ 

Today’s High Court ruling in favour of three councils
which have boycotted Israeli settlement goods has been hailed as a “victory for
the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign and for
democracy”.

The landmark ruling is also a rejection of the
Government’s attempts, in February, to stop councils from adopting ethical
procurement and investment policies by implying that legal action could be
brought successfully against them.

Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity
Campaign (PSC), said:

“Today’s High Court ruling is an important
victory for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign and
for democracy itself. Councils have been told categorically by the High Court
that there is nothing unlawful in ethically boycotting Israeli settlement
goods, and PSC welcomes this ruling. 

“The UK government’s attempts to intimidate
local councils into dropping ethical procurement and investment policies
clearly have no legal basis. Councils can legally adopt policies which avoid or
end links with Israel’s illegal settlements.

“We applaud Leicester, Swansea and Gwynedd
councils for standing up for their democratic right to free speech, and we look
forward to working alongside them and other councils who choose to adopt
policies in support of Palestinian human rights.”

The case against Leicester, Swansea and Gwynedd
city councils was brought by Jewish Human Rights Watch, which has been ordered
to pay the legal costs of all three councils.