Jerusalem, ALRAY - A group of civil society organizations called on the UK government on Tuesday to protect the British people's right to boycott the Israeli occupation or any regime committing apartheid crimes.

The 46 British civil society groups announced their opposition to an "anti-boycott" bill targeting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

"We are concerned that this would prevent public bodies from deciding not to invest in or procure from companies complicit in the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people," the groups said in a letter.

They continued: "As a group of civil society organizations made up of trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, cultural, campaigning, and solidarity organizations, we advocate for the right of public bodies to decide not to purchase or procure from, or invest in companies involved in human rights abuse, abuse of workers’ rights, destruction of our planet, or any other harmful or illegal acts."

The organizations called on the UK government to immediately halt this bill.

They also urged opposition parties to oppose it and civil society to mobilize in support of the right to boycott in the cause of justice.

Among the groups opposing the legislation are the Artists for Palestine UK; the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU); the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine; the British Palestinian Council; the Campaign Against Arms Trade; the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; and the Communication Workers Union (CWU).