HUMAN rights were under attack last night as MPs were set to debate new draconian laws that would ban public bodies from boycotting foreign countries and trade with them.

Campaigners, left-wing MPs and unions criticised the Tory bid to outlaw support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Palestinian solidarity campaign.

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, announced in last year’s Queen’s speech, is designed to stop actions against Israel by outlawing campaigns, including those relating to the purchase of goods and services or investments.

Its second reading in the Commons was due to start as this article was published, just hours after at least eight Palestinians were killed and more than 50 were injured in the occupied West Bank. 

Israel was accused of a war crime after carrying out drone strikes in the Jenin refugee camp in the early hours, sparking an intense firefight between armed militants and its military.

Speaking ahead of the Bill’s second reading, University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady tweeted: “The Bill threatens local democracy, freedom of expression, and campaigns for social and climate justice. 

“MPs must stand up for human rights and our planet.”

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn said he will be voting against the government’s “draconian anti-boycott Bill.”

“Defend human rights. Support BDS. Free Palestine,” he said.

The BDS movement wrote: “On the same day apartheid Israel murders eight Palestinians in Jenin, MPs in the UK will vote on the anti-boycott Bill which would prevent public bodies from boycotting companies abusing human rights, allowing Israel to continue to act with impunity.”

Human Rights Watch UK director Yasmine Ahmed tweeted: “[The Bill] restricts public bodies from their involvement in human rights abuses... those who don’t oppose are on the wrong side of history.”

And Labour MP Diane Abbott said: “The anti-boycott Bill is completely undemocratic. I have participated in many boycott campaigns over the years. 

“The idea that we cannot do so now, while this is occurring, is unacceptable.”

Fellow left-wing MP John McDonnell vowed to follow his conscience to vote against the Bill, despite Labour whipping its MPs to vote for a “reasoned amendment” or abstain if that failed.

“This is despite every lawyer from human rights organisations and affiliated trade unions saying the Bill is unamendable and urging a vote against,” he added.

The government was accused by one Tory MP of making supporting Palestine a “thought crime.”

New Forest West member Sir Desmond Swayne told the Commons: “I think it introduces a thought crime.... that can’t be right in a free society can it?”

Michael Gove rejected this saying: “It provides protection for minority communities, especially the Jewish community, against campaigns that harm community cohesion and fuel anti-semitism.”