December 22, 2015
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has welcomed a speech by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in which he stated that his government condemns all campaigns of boycotts against Israeli products. In response to a question in the French Parliament about the Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions movement, PM Valls said, “There is no sense in these campaigns and therefore the French government from this point of view is very clear,” promising that his government would take “all necessary measures to condemn these campaigns.” PM Valls also observed that, “there are too often a number of initiatives behind legitimate criticism of the policy of the State of Israel, anti-Zionism that switches to anti-Semitism.’
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“Prime Minister Valls deserves our acknowledgment for his clear-eyed and principled stance in condemning the pernicious BDS movement. The ADC has been tremendously concerned about the virulently anti-Semitic BDS campaign spreading through Europe, and has continuously urged governments to make their voices heard in opposing this disturbing phenomenon. It is also pleasing to hear PM Valls repudiate those who are targeting Israel and Jews, and his reassurance to that his government will oppose the attempt to delegitimize and malign Israel. PM Valls should also be lauded for rightly declaring that often anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are cloaked as criticism of Israel. The continuing rise of incitement and violence against Jewish communities across Europe requires a substantial and public response and PM Vall’s strong words send an unequivocal message that France will stand by Israel in countering those who wish to stigmatise and defame the Jewish state. For this, we thank him.”
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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