Jews, Clinton, Warren: Pro-Settlement Law Against Palestininas

Jewish Voice for Peace has released a statment Thursday strongly opposing proposed amendments to trade legislation intended to institutionalize support for the Israeli occupation and attempt to criminalize non-violent boycotts of Israel. Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee approved amended language to S.995, while a related bill (HR. 825) is pending in the House. Where does presidential hopeful Hiilary Clinton stand on the ongoing human rights abuses Israel is using against Palestinians? How about the dem’s darling Elizabeth Earren?

Added language regarding boycotting Israel, backed by AIPAC, comes in response to growing grassroots support in the United States and across the globe for boycotts, divestment and sanctions as tools to further justice, equality, and human rights for Palestinians.

Former Senator Hillary Clinton is a staunch defender of Israel, standing up for its aggressive military campaign in Gaza and praising Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership. Most American progressives recognize that Clinton is pro-Israel, and pro-illegal wars of aggression elsewhere for that matter, despite many so-called activists backing her.

If passed, the legislation would reverse a long standing US policy that opposes the illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories by de facto recognizing all settlements as part of a “greater Israel.” The proposed legislation would also mandate US government actions to track and penalize commercial boycotts, a violation of constitutionally protected political speech.

From South Africa to the grape boycott to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) tactics have been essential tools used to create a more just society. 

Rabbi Joseph Berman, JVP’s Federal Policy Organizer noted, “This legislation, which actually encourages illegal settlement building while strengthening the far right in Israel, shows that BDS is an increasingly powerful means to challenge Israel’s impunity when it comes to Palestinian rights. We urge Congress to reject this legislation.”

###

Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org) is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Jewish Voice for Peace has over 200,000 online supporters, over 65 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.