The European Jewish Congress (EJC) on Wednesday praised the UK government for announcing it will advance legislation blocking public institutions in the UK from boycotting Israel.

“This is a very important act by the British Government,” said Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the EJC. “The British Government has long said it opposes boycotts of Israel in word and now we see they will also oppose them in deed.”

“These attempts to single out Israel, the one Jewish State, from all of the family of nations are discriminatory, intolerant and bigoted. It is completely clear by now that those who stand behind these activities hold very problematic views which single out Jews for special vilification,” added Kantor.

“There should be no place in decent society for such racism and anti-Semitism and this proposed legislation sends a very important message.”

The new proposed regulations are to be announced this week by Cabinet Officer Minister Matthew Hancock, who is currently on an official visit to the Jewish state. His announcement is to come during a meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Thanks to the bill, the UK government will be able to prosecute bodies ranging from universities and local government all the way to student unions over support of the BDS movement that targets Israel in an economic attack.

“The BDS movement has shown itself through its violent demonstrations, hate speech and goal to eradicate the State of Israel that it stands against democratic norms and intimidates any who stand against it,” said Kantor. “This legislation will allow for greater freedom of speech and thought on university campuses which have become very uncomfortable places for Jewish and pro-Israel students.”

“We hope that this will be an important precedent that other European governments will follow.”