Byron Shire Council sets BDS policy

In a joint statement, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) and the Northern Rivers Jewish Community Association (NRJCA) have slammed an August 28 Byron Shire Council decision to introduce a boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS)-style policy against Israel, describing it as a move “importing division and hatred into our communities”.

Greens councillors Elia Hauge and Michelle Lowe moved a motion to boycott 162 companies listed in a recent report by the United Nations’ special rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Labor councillor Asren Pugh then presented a similar motion, but with a shortened list of 79 companies, based on a 2020 UN Human Rights Council list.

The original motion was lost, and Cr Pugh’s motion was carried 5-4.

Councillors Michael Lyon, Jack Dods, David Warth and Janet Swain voted against both motions.