Boycott the boycotters – NY State Assembly condemns BDS
as prelude to anti-BDS legislation
There is a growing “boycott the boycotters” movement afoot in the United States, targeting the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
On the federal level, the 1970s-era anti-boycott legislation addressing the Arab League boycott of Israel is being supplemented by legislation to address the new BDS-form of boycott. Provisions in pending trade legislation would require that free trade agreements with the European Union impose anti-BDS goals. A House Resolution has been introduced condemning BDS, and simlar resolutions were passed in Tennessee and Indiana.
Illinois and South Carolina have gone further, and passed anti-BDS legislation.
The New York State Assembly just passed an anti-BDS resolution, as a prelude to anti-BDS legislation:
The New York State Assembly passed on its last day of the legislative session a resolution rejecting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and reaffirming its support for Israel.
The resolution, introduced by Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn) and co-sponsored by 74 members, rejects the BDS movement and all activities in New York, which “undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution and the right of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination.”
“This Legislative Body is concerned that the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and its agenda are damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human rights for all peoples in the Middle East,” the resolution reads. “New Yorkers defend the inalienable right to free speech, [and] recognize that punitive economic measures targeting Israel undermine dialogue, economic cooperation and political reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, which is the necessary foundation for a lasting peace in the Middle East,” the resolution states. “The BDS movement’s policies and tactics negate and undermine the vibrant debate regarding the Israel-Palestinian relationship, which is based on a recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State.”
The resolution also recognizes Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, reaffirms the Assembly’s support for the State of Israel “as the sovereign homeland of the Jewish people,” and points out that Israel and the US share “a common bond rooted in the values of freedom, democracy and equal rights.”
Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who plans to introduce anti-BDS legislation, spoke in favor of the Resolution:
Expect many more states to move in this direction, as well as additional federal legislation.
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Comments
Phase 2 of the anti-BDS process should incorporate action the BDS-ers viscerally understand.
Melodramatic, obnoxious, lethal cringe-inducing song and dance routines need to be devised and performed in front of BDS gatherings and meetings. Crappily choreographed, off-tune numbers would bring the pushback to an unbearable, social poetic justice level.
Turn lose the “Hardest working man in anti-BDS show biz,” William “Give ’em the Willies” Jacobson, and they will swoon or split.
“Get on the scene … like a specs machine! Get on up!”
“…and that’s a gooooood thang!”