NSW Greens drop BDS

THE Greens in NSW have backed away from the policy on Israel that was widely seen as costing them a seat at the state election.

At the party’s state conference yesterday, delegates rescinded a motion passed last year that committed the NSW Greens to the boycotts, divestments and sanctions campaign intended to isolate Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians.

This has been replaced by a motion that “recognises the legitimacy of the BDS as a political tactic and also recognises there is a diversity of views in the community and the Greens”. [...]

Senator Rhiannon said last night: “Greens NSW affirmed its support for non-violent community actions designed to pressure the Israeli state to respect international law and human rights norms with the aim of ending the occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza, finding a just solution for Palestinian refugees and ending discrimination against Arab citizens in Israel.”