Despite the overwhelming passage by the House of a resolution condemning BDS, many Democratic politicians are torn about how much to support Israel. Rep. John Lewis voted for the resolution but also supports a bill that affirms the right to boycott. Go figure! And two leading presidential candidates have said that Israel should suffer reductions in aid for human rights violations.
Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Rep. Ro Khanna doesn’t believe BDS should be criminalized, but he’s backing legislation that many believe will be used as a weapon against BDS supporters.
Lawmakers in New Jersey have introduced an antisemitism bill that would prohibit certain criticism of Israel in public schools and universities. The proposed legislation comes on the heels of similar bills being passed in South Carolina and Florida. The legislation takes its cues from the State Department.
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has introduced a bill affirming that Americans have the right to participate in boycotts. Although the legislation doesn’t specifically mention the BDS movement, it coincides with an anti-BDS resolution that is currently being pushed by many Democrats.
House Democrats, including 9 of the 11 ViceChairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, are backing an anti-BDS bill that they think is constitutional but it’s destined to backfire on them.
Many Democratic hopefuls for president have indicated that the Israeli occupation is a problem and have criticized Benjamin Netanyahu, but none will confirm that they will move the U.S. Embassy in Israel back to Tel Aviv, or give specifics on how they would pressure the Israeli government.
Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden gave a speech outlining his foreign policy objectives in which he stated that the United States must stand with Israel despite the disagreements some Democrats have with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Elizabeth Warren has built a reputation as the presidential candidate with a plan for everything, but does she have a plan for Palestine? Michael Arria follows her shifting positions on U.S. policy towards the Israeli occupation.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Israeli-American media producer and Democratic mega-donor Haim Saban declares that he loves every Trump challenger besides Bernie Sanders and blames the Vermont Senator for stoking anti-Israel within the Democratic Party.