[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 72 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2583-S2584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              S. Res. 120

  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam President, I rise to add my name to S. Res. 
120. This resolution would make it the sense of the Senate that we in 
this Chamber oppose the global BDS movement and other efforts to 
delegitimize the State of Israel.
  I have long said that the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement 
targeting Israel--the BDS movement--is too often used as a vehicle for 
anti-Semitism.
  The resolution would affirm our commitment to a two-state solution in 
the Middle East, with a future viable, democratic Palestinian State 
living side by side with the democratic State of Israel in peace, in 
security, and with mutual recognition.
  It would make clear that particularly in this climate of increased 
anti-Semitism, we do not agree with efforts to delegitimize the State 
of Israel. I agree with these principles, and it is why I am supporting 
this resolution.
  I would also like to say this: I have made it clear in the past, and 
my opinion is no different today, that I will not support any 
legislation that will weaken Americans' First Amendment rights. In this 
country, we have a fundamental constitutional right to express our 
opinions and speak out about what we believe in. We have a right to 
engage in civil disobedience. We have a right to protest. This 
resolution recognizes all of that. It recognizes the right of people to 
protest and express their opinions about whatever country or whatever 
policy they want, but the Senate is also entitled to our opinion, and I 
support making it our opinion in this body that we oppose the global 
BDS movement, that we want a two-state solution, and that we want to 
stand by our alliance with Israel.
  I am proud to stand up for these ideals. I am proud to speak out 
about them. I encourage all New Yorkers and all Americans all over the 
country to keep speaking out what they believe in too.
  I also want to make a broader and critically important point here; 
that is, today we cannot ignore the anti-Semitism that is on the rise 
all around us. It is more important now than ever that we stand 
together against all forms of anti-Semitism.
  Just this past weekend, a hateful, anti-Semitic White supremacist 
walked into a synagogue in California on the Sabbath, during a 
celebration, and horrifically opened fire with a weapon of war on 
people who were praying--praying--on the last day of Passover. Six 
months before that, we mourned the tragedy at the Tree of Life 
synagogue in Pittsburgh, when another hateful, anti-Semitic White 
supremacist walked into a synagogue on the Sabbath and slaughtered 
people with another weapon of war.
  New Yorkers in my home State have had to endure hateful graffiti with 
swastikas and even outright physical attacks. The FBI has reported a 
spike in hate crimes all over our country, so has the Anti-Defamation 
League.
  The ADL just released its annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents. 
These cases of harassment, vandalism, and assault aren't just happening 
in one place; they are happening in people's businesses, in their 
schools, in their cemeteries, in their synagogues, and in our public 
parks. It was their third highest year on record. They are not just 
happening in our country either.
  In Europe, far-right political parties are winning elected office. We 
are seeing new attempts to deny the Holocaust. It is all unacceptable. 
Given the rise of anti-Semitism, it is particularly concerning to me 
that the U.N. is so focused on continuously and singularly vilifying 
Israel, in contrast to all other nations. That is why I have taken so 
many steps so often to call out the U.N.'s unfair actions, and it is 
why I will continue to call on the U.N. to abstain from its unfair 
treatment of Israel.
  The United States is supposed to be a safe haven for Israel and a 
safe haven for the Jewish people. It is supposed to be a safe haven for 
people of all religions. You are supposed to be able to worship freely 
here and to honor the Sabbath here without coming under attack. We must 
never let that change. We must not allow bigotry and violence to become 
normal and routine. We must not look the other way when we hear slurs 
and witness harassment.
  Anti-Semitism is real and dangerous, but it is not going to stop on 
its own. Only our words and our actions can do that. We need to show 
the world that we are more united than ever to fight against anti-
Semitism and against all other forms of racism and bigotry. We need to 
send a powerful message of solidarity by standing with the Jewish 
community, praying with them, and helping assure them that in this dark 
moment, they are not alone.
  Let me end with this. I take my faith very seriously. It grounds me. 
I am grateful that I have the opportunity to attend Bible studies with 
my colleagues in the Senate and that I can attend a weekly Prayer 
Breakfast. I believe we are here now, at this moment, for a reason. We 
are all called to end

[[Page S2584]]

hate; we are all called to speak out against the darkness; we are all 
called to reject anti-Semitism; and we are all called to defend the 
vulnerable. As a body, we must answer that call.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Colorado.