City of Vienna singles out BDS Austria member with vexatious lawsuit

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.

Amidst the 2021 unified Palestinian uprising against Israel’s apartheid regime, the Municipality of Vienna filed a SLAPP against a BDS Austria activist for sharing a picture of a famous “Visit Apartheid” poster online. In line with the Municipality’s anti-democratic anti-BDS resolution, this lawsuit is part of a larger strategy to intimidate BDS Austria and rights advocates through systematically repressing their fundamental rights to free speech and freedom of assembly.

To add to its shameful affront to democracy and rights, the Municipality of Vienna has proposed the activist a settlement, asking them to pay €17,000 euros – the total amount of damages previously solicited plus legal fees! Additionally, the Municipality of Vienna demands, the activist to refrain from claiming that the Municipality has brought “SLAPP suits” against BDS. The lawsuit is one of injustice, violating the right to public participation for Palestinian rights activists calling for Israel’s accountability under international law.

As well as raising awareness about this SLAPP you can also show your solidarity with BDS Austria and donate here.