3-6-2017 Knesset Bill Banning BDS Supporters from Israel Damages Israel’s Democracy - And Helps BDS Movement, J Street Press Release



http://jstreet.org/press-releases/knesset-bill-banning-bds-supporters-israel-damages-israels-democracy-helps-bds-movement/#.WL-BooW_5Oh


 

"J Street is alarmed by the Knesset's passage of a bill that bans entry to Israel of foreign nationals who call for economic, cultural or academic boycotts of either Israel or the territory it controls beyond the Green Line. The bill is the latest piece of Israeli legislation to undermine Israel's own democratic principles and its international standing. As a liberal democracy, Israel should be able to tolerate non-violent political protest and dissent, no matter how much it disagrees with the ideology or goals of BDS supporters…..We note that there are strong supporters and friends of Israel who participate in or advocate for targeted boycotts of the settlement enterprise beyond the Green Line, motivated by a desire to oppose the occupation and support the two-state solution. While J Street does not share their views, we respect their motivations and we are outraged by the idea that they would be denied entry to Israel on the basis of political discrimination. We hope that all those who care about Israel's future and about its democracy will oppose this bill, and we urge the the Knesset and the Israeli government to take steps to overturn or revoke this dangerous and counterproductive legislation."

 

 

 

Posted by Judith Ferster, AIME member


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