Scotland's capital must lead the way in Israel boycott
Scottish Green councillors are calling for Edinburgh to become the first city in Scotland to boycott Israel. Green councillor Ben Parker will put forward a motion today as a stepping stone to move Scotland’s capital city closer towards being able to support Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
Earlier this month, the Scottish Parliament voted to support calls made by Green MSPs to end support for companies arming Israel’s genocide in Gaza and to support actions against companies complicit in the illegal settlements.
The motion calls on the Scottish Government to confirm what steps it will take to ensure that local authorities are able to legally adopt BDS policies should they choose to.
Ben said:
“The people of Edinburgh have repeatedly voiced their solidarity with the people of Palestine, and Green Councillors have long been trying to find ways to turn that solidarity into practical actions to oppose the genocide at the hands of the Israeli Government. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions is one way of doing this, but Local Councils have previously been blocked from taking this action against Israel due to an outdated piece of legislation.
“As we approach two years of continued bombardment, torture and mass starvation of Palestinians, it seems bizarre to be debating motions about regulations and process. But we’re hoping that the move by the Scottish Government will allow Edinburgh to follow suit and take real, practical steps towards a free Palestine - so we need clarity on exactly what this means for local government procurement rules.”
Patrick Harvie said:
“We fully support our Green councillors motion, and we hope that Edinburgh will lead the way in taking action to boycott Israel.
“There is a role for every level of government in taking action and showing true solidarity with the Palestinian people who are subjected to horrific killing and dehumanisation by Israeli military forces. Scotland must divest from any Israeli-linked companies and arms dealers who profit from the state-sanctioned genocide in Gaza.
“The Scottish Government has already voted in favour of our proposals, and now they must explain how they will carry them out, and how they will work with local councils to enable them to do the same.”
Text of motion to be debated by Edinburgh City Council
8.3 By Councillor Parker - Scottish Government’s Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Against the State of Israel
Supporting Information
1) Notes the Scottish Government’s recent support for BDS including agreement to “immediately impose a package of boycotts, divestment and sanctions targeted at the state of Israel and at companies complicit in its military operations and its occupation of Palestine";
2) Recognises that the Council receives public money from the Scottish Government in the form of the block grant and that the recent decision in 1) might therefore impact on how this money can and cannot spent;
3) Notes that the City of Edinburgh Council has consistently supported action to end the genocide in Palestine, as far as our powers allow;
4) Understands that previous attempts by the Council to adopt a local BDS policy against the Israeli Government have been deemed not competent due to section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 which prevents local authorities and some other public bodies from taking non-commercial matters, including the location of any country or territory of the business activities or interests of contractors, into account in procurement or contract termination decisions.
Proposed Action/Decision
5) Therefore, requests that the Council leader writes to the First Minister to;
a) Seek guidance on if the Scottish Government position on BDS means that conditionalities will now be placed on local authority spending from the block grant to observe the BDS position;
b) Request the First Minister outlines what additional legislative changes the Scottish Government will support and pursue to allow local authorities to legally adopt BDS policies should they choose to.”