BDS Supporters to Lose Tax Breaks

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked signed a new regulation that will revoke tax breaks given to organizations that support boycotting Israel, paving the way for the first implementation of a law that authorizes the government to combat BDS with financial sanctions.

Amnesty International was reportedly the immediate target of the measure. The international rights organization has, in the past year and a half, called for an arms embargo against Israel and boycotts of Israeli products. Now it stands to lose benefits under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance.

Shaked approved the regulations following a High Court ruling that implementation requires such a regulatory step. The Justice Ministry, Finance Ministry and Strategic Affairs Ministry drafted the regulation together. It must still be approved by the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to go into effect.

“These regulations will give the State of Israel the tools to fight its enemies and boycotters at home and abroad,” Shaked said. “In the last year and a half, I personally took part in drafting the regulations…I will continue to fight boycott organizations and BDS, who are working to delegitimize the State of Israel.”