European Jews mull legal action after Icelandic capital boycotts Israel

“This is clearly a discriminatory move and we have already sought advice that it might break international law and treaties," says EJC President Moshe Kantor.

Boycott Israel sign (photo credit: REUTERS)
Boycott Israel sign
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Two days after the municipal government of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik voted to boycott Israeli products, the European Jewish Congress is considering legal redress, the group announced in a statement.
On Tuesday the city’s motion stated that it would boycott Israeli goods “as long as the occupation of Palestinian territories continues.”
The local government also stated that it opposes what it termed the “the Israeli policy of apartheid.”
“This is clearly a discriminatory move and we have already sought advice that it might break international law and treaties,” said EJC president Moshe Kantor in an email to the press.
“Once again we see one nation, over all others, subjected to a ban and boycott, and we would like to ask those that sought this boycott if it is a mere coincidence that this nation also happens to be only Jewish nation in the world.
“Many have stated that they will start with Israel and then explore other situations, and none has ever gone beyond Israel,” he continued, calling the decision a “case of discrimination, warped hatred and singling out of one nation in the world for opprobrium.”
“It is time for the Jewish world to fight back and let these people understand that hatred and discrimination cannot come without ramifications. There are laws and procedures which should protect a people or a nation from such moves and we will be carefully studying all possible avenues to fight this legally.”