Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has vowed that it is his “priority” for the Government to pass three important bills relating to the boycott, divestment and sanctioning of Israeli goods and services (BDS), online antisemitism, and a Holocaust memorial.
In a keynote speech at the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) Members’ Tea held in the House of Lords, the Deputy Prime Minister said that, “in me, you have a very staunch defender of the Jewish community”.
The Hertsmere MP made clear that the BDS Bill is his “priority”. He disclosed that the Government is “moving ahead with the BDS Bill. It was a priority for me to get it in the Conservative Party Manifesto in the first place and it is a priority for me as Deputy Prime Minister to make sure that in this Parliament we deliver on this legislation”.
The Deputy Prime Minister also pledged to pass the Holocaust Memorial Bill, casting it as “absolutely essential to ensure that we have a permanent record” with the passing of the survivors’ generation.
He also gave thanks to CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman (Lords), Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles on his efforts to secure a National Holocaust Memorial. Dowden also acknowledged the proliferation of “rampant online abuse” across social media platforms which, despite being curbed by platform company policy, continues to spread dangerous conspiracy theories contributing to the “scourge of antisemitism”.
