Debates between Clive Betts and Matthew Offord during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Local Government: Ethical Procurement

Debate between Clive Betts and Matthew Offord
Tuesday 15th March 2016

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Offord
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Those Palestinian workers are paid on average three or four times more than they could earn elsewhere. About 500 Palestinians lost their jobs in October 2015, when international pressure from the BDS movement led to the closure of SodaStream’s factory in Ma’ale Adumim. That demonstrates that the BDS movement only seeks to harm Israel, with little consideration of how its actions will affect the livelihood of Palestinians, even though Palestinians employed by Israeli companies enjoy substantially higher wages and improved living conditions than those employed elsewhere.

Clive Betts Portrait Mr Betts
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Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Offord
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No, I will not. Supporters of the movement claim to embrace the boycott tactic as a non-violent way to pressure Israel into negotiations. The campaign is clearly a biased effort to demonise Israel and place the entire onus for the conflict on one side—the Israelis.