Israel threatens to boycott British goods

Israel threatens to boycott British goods
Israel has taken strong exception to the threat of a boycott by the British Union of Colleges and Universities as well as the trade union UNISON, who will take a vote on the issue shortly.

In retaliation, the country's parliament might decide to boycott British goods. Israel termed these boycott threats as blatant anti-Semitism and asked the British government to protest the move.

Earlier this year the National Union of Journalists had passed am identical resolution apparently in protest of the Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

Ynetnews.com reported that this boycott was on of the issues debated on Sunday's cabinet meeting. "There is a long trail of anti-Semitism in Europe, which includes one-sided articles and anti-Semitic harassment," said Israeli Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog. "This is a great challenge for the Israeli government to deal with."

The threat of a boycott has caused consternation in Israeli circles with the country surprised at such moves. Israeli union workers have also threatened to stop unloading British exports to the country. An email campaign called "Friend of Israel" has also been launched in order to convince North America to boycott British goods.