LONDON: The UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign and a delegation of civil society groups on Thursday handed a petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to show their opposition to the anti-boycott bill.

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill permits the fining of public bodies in the UK that launch boycotts of, or campaign against, a particular territory, unless in line with the government’s own foreign policy.

The new regulations are understood to be targeting the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which has received support from several major councils in Britain.

After passing its second reading in the House of Commons, the bill is due to enter the committee stage in Parliament, although it has received significant, cross-party criticism. 

The Scottish government has formally declared its opposition to the bill, and the Welsh government is under increasing pressure to do the same.

The petition has 18,000 signatures in support of the right to boycott, and it urges MPs to reject the bill.

More than 70 civil society organizations, including trade unions, charities, nongovernmental organizations, human rights and solidarity groups, have said that the bill will thwart a wide range of justice campaigns, erode local democracy, and pose a threat to freedom of expression.

Ben Jamal, PSC director, said: “The huge response to this petition reflects widespread alarm across whole swathes of progressive civil society that the anti-boycott bill represents a major attack on freedom of expression.

“Opposition to this bill is growing because it threatens not just the ability of public bodies to take part in boycott and divestment campaigns in support of Palestinian rights, but all those who seek change through peaceful and democratic means.”