U.S. Politics
The two legislative items seek to build the American-Israel relationship and to put the stop on collaborating with terror groups and their affiliates. Both are on their way to the Senate.
“The House voted 398-17 in favor of an anti-BDS resolution written by Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider. That’s a stunning show of bipartisan opposition to BDS and support for Israel,” Democratic Majority for Israel CEO Mark Mellman told JNS.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper “understands the strategic relationship with Israel, and that the alternative is no alternative,” said former Pentagon official Michael Rubin.
A pro-BDS bill by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was widely seen as a move to push back against U.S. laws banning the boycott of Israel. Co-sponsorship by U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) adds credibility to the resolution, which will likely face stiff opposition in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
Beijing has previously said that it would defy U.S. sanctions and purchase oil from Tehran, causing U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook to say, “We will sanction any imports of Iranian crude oil.”
“Jew-hatred is Jew-hatred, and it’s evil, and it doesn’t matter if it comes from the ethnic supremacist right, from the vicious anti-Zionist left or from radical Islam. Jew-hatred in all its forms needs to be combated, and it’s my job to combat it.”
Heart conditions, bone and feet issues, and dental problems are common for the 80,000 or so elderly survivors who live in the United States, as are depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.
“Millions of Holocaust survivors and their descendants, as well refugees from Soviet oppression living in Israel, will find such comparisons unfathomable,” said Democratic Majority for Israel president and CEO Mark Mellman. “I find them odious. In an effort led by parties of the left, the German Parliament officially labeled BDS as ‘anti-Semitism’—and they were right.”
“It is critical that the U.S. recommit to helping the Government of Argentina in their investigation,” said New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez. “The Argentinian people have waited long enough for answers.”
“I am going in a couple of weeks and so I’ll learn more,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) “But truly, everything that I hear points to both sides feeling like there is still an occupation.”
“Support for Israel has long been a bipartisan pillar of American politics,” said Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.). “Following the committee’s strong endorsement, I hope House leadership will bring this bipartisan resolution to a vote so Congress can reaffirm its close bond with Israel, America’s friend and ally.”
“The stakes for what we do now as a nation are enormous,” said American Jewish Committee chief policy officer Jason Isaacson.
