I Cannot Use These Words

[eumelia]

My speech (which, no matter what people say, has never been absolutely free) has been curtailed in a frightening way.

I cannot tell you which companies not to buy from, because I could get sued and fined (but not confined) for it.

The "anti-Boycott" law which passed last week in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament stipulates that it is a civil wrong (not a criminal offence) to call for a boycott on Israeli made, well, anything.

It is meant to protect Settlement made goods from the West Bank from financial loss.

In effect, it punishes people from doing the most non-violent action possible, asking people to be conciousness consumers.

I am not telling you to boycott, because that would open me up for law suits that could sue me for more money that I've got, due to hypothetical financial loss.

If ever there was a time for you to learn about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction campaign and movement, it is now.

But, well, I can't tell you what you should do regarding that.

Comments

[ironed_orchid]

My first reaction: speechless.

My second: what staggering stupidity.

[eumelia]

On the day of the vote I didn't even bother to watch the debate, I was so demoralised.

[lilacsigil]

How revolting. Is it easier for them to make civil law than criminal law, or is that just a neat dodge so it's not their responsibility when companies go after citizens?

[eumelia]

They activists don't mind doing time, but having to be sued and leached of money, well... that's something else entirely. Because it can incapacitate a person in a way that being sent for a few days to prison doesn't.

[bellakara]

I'm sorry to hear that - I think that law is appalling.

[eumelia]

It is and there a great deal of support for the law from the public, because the majority of the people don't realise the implications or simply don't care.

[amadi]

I cannot begin to understand it. I cannot begin to imagine how this has come to pass. It's just beyond.

[eumelia]

The slippery slope of financially based fascism and oppression. I wish it were beyond.

[amadi]

Is this a case of follow specific money or just the basic game of "prop up the apartheid at all costs?"

[eumelia]

It's the latter.

[amethystfirefly]

How absolutely horrifying.

[eumelia]

I'm resigned to the fact that my government hates it's citizens, I just wish they'd keep it to themselves.

[onceamy]

That's seriously fucked up.

I wish there were something I could do.

[eumelia]

Tell other people and think about what you shop, consume, who you support politicly, etc.

That's all I can say.

[ajnabieh]

I am just...I'm in that place where I am horrified and confused simultaneously, because this law makes no sense, in addition to being awful. I don't even know.

I'm going to be sharing this on Twitter, fyi--just because your writing here captures the paradox this puts anti-occupation Israelis into so perfectly. Much solidarity.

[eumelia]

No problem, spread far and wide.

[silveradept]

Such things as those are better suited to tinpot dictators than the supposed "only democracy worth doing anything about" that Israel is constantly portrayed as in the United States.

It's also rather scary, as the government is basically allowing corporations to do the thing that they would rightly be blistered for should they forbid it as a matter of criminal law.