By Kenneth Bandler
NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) applauds the Council of Paris for adopting two resolutions on Tuesday, Feb. 16, opposing the BDS (boycott, sanctions and divestment) movement that has been targeting Israel. The council is the governing body for the French capital.
The Paris Council action firmly opposes “all attempts to isolate Israel among the nations” and condemn efforts, including public demonstrations in Paris, advocating for boycotting Israel.
“Official Paris has spoken clearly that any effort to boycott Israel is illegal,” said AJC Europe Director Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, who has followed the issue closely. “The path to sustainable peace lies in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, not in punitive measures against one party, the sovereign and democratic state of Israel.”
The Council of Paris action reinforces existing French law that considers BDS against Israel and Israelis illegal. The council resolutions, supported by political parties on the left and right, condemn any boycott against Israel during any demonstration or public event and oppose any attempt to blacklist Israel.
“We look to French national authorities to guarantee the efficiency of the law everywhere in the country, including in Paris where several protests such as the demonstration against the Be’ersheva Dance Company took place in front of Opera Garnier,” said Rodan-Benzaquen.
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Bandler is AJC’s Director of Media Relations