Members of 20 anti-Israel organizations will soon be banned from entering the country they want to boycott.
According to a report in Haaretz, the Strategic Affairs Ministry published a list of 20 organizations that will have their members blacklisted from entering Israel as part of the country’s efforts to focus on being on the offense, rather than the defense, when it comes to the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) protests.
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said, “We have shifted from defense to offense,” according to Haaretz.
“The boycott organizations need to know that the State of Israel will act against them and not allow [them] to enter its territory to harm its citizens,” he continued. “No country would have allowed critics coming to harm the country to entry it.”
Interior Minister Arye Dery added, “These people are trying to exploit the law and our hospitality to act against Israel and to defame the country. I will act against this by every means.”
The list of banned organizations includes American organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace and Code Pink.
While leaders and members of BDS organizations will be banned from entering Israel, the Washington Post clarifies the ban will not apply to Israeli citizens and those who merely criticize Israel.
The New York Times reports the blacklist will go in effect on March 1.
Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!
(Image source: Takver, via Flickr)