Canada and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly fight the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel. The memorandum equates BDS with anti Semitism and claims to reflect joint dedication to “freedom of expression and assembly, democracy and the rule of law”.

The memorandum, signed on 18 January, commits Canada and Israel to develop “a coordinated, public diplomacy initiative both bilaterally and in international and multilateral fora to oppose boycotts of Israel, its institutions, and its people within three to six months”.

Canada also becomes a promoter for Israel, as the two countries will engage “in annual consultations to identity opportunities to advocate in favour of the State of Israel’s full participation in the global economy”.

The two countries state they are “Deeply concerned by efforts to single out the State of Israel for criticism and isolate the state of Israel internationally including calls for a boycott of the State of Israel, for the divestment of investments, and for sanctions to be imposed on Israel”.

This “selective targeting of Israel” is said to reflect “the new face of anti Semitism”.

The Palestinian-led BDS movement is the leading international, non-violent campaign against Israeli violations of Palestinian human and national rights.