Israel Beiteinu MK to be first to use anti-boycott law

Miller to sue MK Ahmed Tibi for calling to "boycott Ariel, take it apart, and send away its residents."

By LAHAV HARKOV
Tibi making a point in Knesset 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Tibi making a point in Knesset 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Israel Beiteinu’s MK Alex Miller said in the plenum on Tuesday that he would be the first to take advantage of the new law, by suing MK Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List - Ta’al) for calling to boycott the West Bank city of Ariel.
“Tibi’s party is not immune to lawsuits and certainly is not above the law,” Miller, an Ariel resident, said.
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“Whoever shows contempt for the law and stomps on it will be responsible for the outcome,” he added.
Miller explained that the law is meant to prevent economic damage caused by boycotts, and that Tibi’s words could make investors hesitate before doing business in Ariel.
The “Boycott Bill,” which passed on Monday night after a six-hour Knesset debate, allows citizens to sue persons and organizations that call for economic, cultural or academic boycotts against Israel, Israeli institutions or regions under Israeli control. It also prevents the government from doing business with companies that initiate or comply with such boycotts.
The Israel Beiteinu member, along with Ariel city council member Pavel Folb, plan to sue Tibi for damages.
Earlier Tuesday, during the time allotted to MKs for one-minute speeches in the plenum, Tibi called the new law “fascist” and “McCarthyist.” “This Knesset is the least tolerant, the most extreme and the most racist,” Tibi said, specifically mentioning Miller as the MK who proposed the “Nakba Bill.”
“The ‘Boycott Bill’ is totally unconstitutional. I, in the name of the UALTa’al faction, call on the public to break this law; boycott settlements, their products and Ariel; take apart Ariel and send away its residents,” Tibi said.
“They have no right to live on occupied land.”