The House of Representatives and the Senate are considering The “Anti-Israel Boycott Act,” measures that would criminalize boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) targeting Israel and its occupation of the West Bank.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) opposes BDS targeting Israel.
This legislation, however, intentionally burrs the distinction between Israel and the occupation. It clearly states that under this bill, measures targeting West Bank settlements and the occupation would be regarded as targeting Israel. APN opposes the occupation and supports boycotting West Bank settlements, the most visible physical manifestation of the occupation.
While opposing BDS, APN believes that boycotts are a legitimate non-violent expression of protest, which should not be criminalized.
These measures do just that: they criminalize free speech, as pointed out by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
For the Senate version of the bill see here. For the House version see here.
S.720 and H.1697, if passed, will set a terrible precedent. They must be opposed.