Scottish Friends of Palestine أصدقاء فلسطين الأسكتلنديين

From Palestine Solidarity Campaign

This was written by Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

We have some wonderful news. As you know, last week we took the British government to the Royal Courts of Justice to fight for our right to boycott.

Today the judge delivered his verdict: WE WON!!

The government was trying to stop local council pension schemes divesting from companies complicit in Israel’s human rights violations. Theresa May’s disgraceful attempt to silence Palestinian voices and restrict our right to peaceful protest has failed.

It’s a moment to treasure and a key victory for local democracy, the rule of law and for Palestine.

We know the public is on our side, as our recent YouGov polling showed 43% of the British public thought BDS was reasonable.

We now know that the law is on our side too. We couldn’t be happier that our right to boycott has been upheld by the court in the month that the illegal military occupation turns fifty years old.

To fight this case, we needed your help and financial support. You came to our aid magnificently, and we were blown away by your generosity. Thank you for making this possible.

We couldn’t have done it without all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Our task now is to take forward our campaigning with renewed vigour. We will as a priority be sending this judgment to all local councils and LGPS fund managers to let them know that the Government regulations have been ruled illegal, and that they once again need to ensure they are not investing funds in companies complicit in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law.

Today we have drawn a line in the sand against the attempts to suppress the right to boycott and to stand up for Palestine.  Tomorrow lets  pick up our campaigning with a renewed vigour and spring in our step.  Free Free Palestine!!