WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) —U.S. Representatives Peter J. Roskam (R-IL), Co-Chair of the GOP Israel Caucus, and Juan Vargas (D-CA) introduced the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, legislation to further combat the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement.
In the United States Senate, a companion bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD).
Rep. Roskam released the following statement:
“The BDS movement is nothing more and nothing less than the latest attempt by Israel’s enemies to destroy the Jewish State. After their repeated military conquests ended in failure, they have now turned to economic means in the hopes of achieving the same outcome. Thankfully, the United States Congress – and the American people – will not stand for it. We will oppose all forms of economic warfare against Israel and Israelis.”
Rep. Vargas released the following statement:
“The United States must make it clear that it will not tolerate any international efforts to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel. Opponents of Israel cannot continue to threaten its security or force a solution between Israelis and the Palestinians. We must continue to support Israel and reaffirm our long-standing commitment to strongly oppose any efforts that delegitimize and undermine our ally.”
Sen. Portman released the following statement:
“This bipartisan legislation sends a clear message that politically-motivated boycotts of Israel are unacceptable to the United States. I’m pleased to introduce this bill that says the United States stands against illegitimate attempts to isolate our ally Israel or impose policy solutions to issues that can only be resolved through direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Sen. Cardin released the following statement:
“The United States should bring its foreign policy and its economic institutions, its relationships, and its leverage to bear to combat boycott, divestment, and sanctions actions against Israel. We should not stand idle when foreign countries or international governmental organizations use BDS tactics to isolate one of our key allies. We cannot allow these attempts to bypass direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to go unchecked.”
Background
Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) targeted Israel with a commercial boycott, calling for the creation of a database—akin to a “blacklist”—of companies that operate in or have business relationships beyond Israel’s 1949 Armistice Lines, including East Jerusalem. The U.S. State Department expressed opposition following the UNHRC resolution’s adoption in March 2016.
This week, building upon the “blacklist” resolution, the UNHRC is considering a resolution to withhold assistance from and halt trade with “territories occupied since 1967”, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. Under the resolution, businesses who engage in economic activity in these areas could face civil or criminal legal action.
The Israel Anti-Boycott Act would formally state Congress’s opposition to the UNHRC resolutions to create a “blacklist” and boycott. To prevent the implementation of similar “blacklists” or boycotts in the future, it would amend the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations against Israel—similar to prohibitions already in place with respect to boycotts imposed by foreign countries. The legislation would also ensure that the Export Import Bank considers BDS issues when evaluating potential credit applications.
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Preceding provided by Congressman Peter Roskam.
US allies (NATO countries, Japan, South Korea etc.) should get clear message: if they want US protection of their interests then they have to vote against every resolution in UNHRC that mentions Israel in any context. This is clearly an attempt to delegitimise Israel in order to distroy it. Israel is a democracy and there is no need to tell them what to do – only provide unconditional support.