Netanyahu wants EU to outlaw boycott of Israel

European countries should enact laws to prohibit future boycotts of Israel; Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to have said on Sunday.

Israel’s Maariv newspaper published on Wednesday that the PM made the remarks during a meeting with senior officials, where it was suggested that European governments should put in place special laws to stop any future boycotts of Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni were expelled from the meeting due to their unsupportive positions to the PM’s plan. Full details of the meeting remain a secret.

Israel has officially joined JUSCANZ; a UN grouping which advises the UN Human Rights Council and has become an observer at the Pacific Alliance; a bloc of five South American countries. Netanyahu said Pacific Alliance will open new commercial markets for Israel with the bloc which represents the eighth largest economy in the world.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed his country’s admittance saying: “Next time you hear talk about political isolation or a wave of boycotts which threaten Israel, you will know that the reality is far from it.

“Israel continues to be a leader and has the best minds in the world and we will continue to strengthen and improve our relations with the international community.”

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, who is visiting Israel said on Tuesday, said the EU is not boycotting Israel and that the “boycott does not solve the problem”.