Lawmakers in Ontario vote this week to blacklist supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Tim Hudak, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, introduced the so-called Standing Up Against Anti-Semitism in Ontario Act on Tuesday.

Hudak claimed that the goal of BDS is “to sponsor the de-legitimization of the state of Israel as well as to foster hatred and animosity against those of Jewish faith in support of Israel.”

The bill is scheduled for debate and another vote on Thursday.

Now MPP Gila Martow is comparing BDS to KKK. This is the level of “debate” Canada’s Israel lobby has sunk to. #stopbill202

— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) May 19, 2016

Palestine solidarity campaigners in Canada have not had notice of the bill. Its quick introduction and vote may be an effort to circumvent public debate and opposition.

The bill may also have been timed to coincide with the visit to Israel this week by Ontario’s Liberal premier, Kathleen Wynne, who is leading a business delegation aimed at “building partnerships between Ontario and Israel.”

The bill also states that “No college or university shall support or participate in the BDS movement.”

Hudak, a hard-line supporter of Israel, has previously lavished praise on Ariel Sharon, who was involved in the colonization of the occupied West Bank, a war crime under international law.

Hudak is also quoted as saying that, Ariel Sharon “courageously dedicated his life to establishing and then defending his beloved Israel.”

(Electronic Intifada, PC)