[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7181-H7188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OPPOSING GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT TARGETING
ISRAEL
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 246) opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of
Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
targeting Israel, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 246
Whereas the democratic, Jewish State of Israel is a key
ally and strategic partner of the United States;
Whereas since Israel's founding in 1948, Congress has
repeatedly expressed our Nation's unwavering commitment to
the security of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state;
Whereas it is a hallmark of American democracy for citizens
to petition the United States Government in favor of or
against United States foreign policy;
Whereas the United States Constitution protects the rights
of United States citizens to articulate political views,
including with respect to the policies of the United States
or foreign governments;
Whereas American policy has long sought to bring peace to
the Middle East and recognized that both the Israeli and
Palestinian people should be able to live in safe and
sovereign states, free from fear and violence, with mutual
recognition;
Whereas support for peace between the Israelis and
Palestinians has long-standing bipartisan support in
Congress;
Whereas it is the long-standing policy of the United States
that a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict should come through direct negotiations between the
Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the
support of countries in the region and around the world;
Whereas cooperation between Israel and the United States is
of great importance, especially in the context of rising
anti-Semitism, authoritarianism and security problems in
Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa;
Whereas the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Movement (BDS Movement) targeting Israel is a campaign that
does not favor a two-state solution and that seeks to
[[Page H7182]]
exclude the State of Israel and the Israeli people from the
economic, cultural, and academic life of the rest of the
world;
Whereas the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Movement is one of several recent political movements that
undermines the possibility for a negotiated solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict by demanding concessions of one
party alone and encouraging the Palestinians to reject
negotiations in favor of international pressure;
Whereas the founder of the Global BDS Movement, Omar
Barghouti, has denied the right of the Jewish people in their
homeland, saying, ``We oppose a Jewish state in any part of
Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a sell-
out Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in
Palestine.'';
Whereas the Global BDS Movement targets not only the
Israeli government but also Israeli academic, cultural, and
civil society institutions, as well as individual Israeli
citizens of all political persuasions, religions, and
ethnicities, and in some cases even Jews of other
nationalities who support Israel;
Whereas the Global BDS Movement does not recognize, and
many of its supporters explicitly deny, the right of the
Jewish people to national self-determination;
Whereas university-based Global BDS efforts violate the
core goals of the university and global cultural development,
which thrive on free and open exchange and debate, and in
some cases, leads to the intimidation and harassment of
Jewish students and others who support Israel;
Whereas the Global BDS Movement promotes principles of
collective guilt, mass punishment, and group isolation, which
are destructive of prospects for progress towards peace and a
two-state solution;
Whereas boycotts and similar tools aimed at promoting
racial justice and social change have been used effectively
in the United States, South Africa, and other parts of the
world; and
Whereas in contrast to protest movements that have sought
racial justice and social change, the Global Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel is not
about promoting coexistence, civil rights, and political
reconciliation but about questioning and undermining the very
legitimacy of the country and its people: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) opposes the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
Movement (BDS Movement) targeting Israel, including efforts
to target United States companies that are engaged in
commercial activities that are legal under United States law,
and all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel;
(2) urges Israelis and Palestinians to return to direct
negotiations as the only way to achieve an end to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
(3) affirms the Constitutional right of United States
citizens to free speech, including the right to protest or
criticize the policies of the United States or foreign
governments;
(4) supports the full implementation of the United States-
Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-296;
128 Stat. 4075) and new efforts to enhance government-wide,
coordinated United States-Israel scientific and technological
cooperation in civilian areas, such as with respect to
energy, water, agriculture, alternative fuel technology,
civilian space technology, and security, in order to counter
the effects of actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction
Israel; and
(5) reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states--
a democratic Jewish State of Israel, and a viable, democratic
Palestinian state--living side-by-side in peace, security,
and mutual recognition.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
General Leave
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 246.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking the authors of this resolution,
Mr. Schneider, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Zeldin, and Mrs. Wagner. I am grateful
for their bipartisan leadership.
Mr. Speaker, there are 339 cosponsors of this resolution. Let me say
that again: There are 339 cosponsors for this measure opposing the
global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement that undermines the
legitimacy of the State of Israel.
Support for Israel in Congress is an issue that has been like catnip
for our friends in the press that cover our work. Frankly, this issue
has been politicized in a way that I find ugly and is ultimately
harmful to the U.S.-Israel relationship. It is time that leaders stop
playing politics with our relations with the Jewish state.
When the fog clears, and the bullies on their pulpits end their
tirades, what you see with this measure is a real bipartisan reflection
on how this body regards our country's relationship with and support
for Israel and our opposition to BDS. Almost 80 percent of House
Members are cosponsors, and we are here debating it under suspension of
the rules.
What this resolution says is simple. It says that support for BDS and
support for a two-state solution just aren't compatible. Let me explain
why, and I hope this explanation will also help to address some of the
concerns about this measure.
Opposing BDS isn't about opposing any individual's right to protest
or boycott. The right of any person to express views like that is
enshrined in our Constitution. That sort of free expression is a pillar
of American democracy, and this resolution says so. Let me read from
it:
``Whereas it is a hallmark of American democracy for citizens to
petition the United States Government in favor of or against United
States foreign policy;
``Whereas the United States Constitution protects the rights of
United States citizens to articulate political views, including with
respect to the policies of the United States or foreign governments.''
That is in this resolution. It couldn't be any clearer, Mr. Speaker.
Throughout history, protests, boycotts, and movements like that have
played key roles in driving important change. The resolution says that,
too:
``Whereas boycotts and similar tools aimed at promoting racial
justice and social change have been used effectively in the United
States, South Africa, and other parts of the world.''
But here is the thing about the global BDS movement: I don't believe
it promotes racial justice or social change at all. It promotes a one-
sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that seeks to
marginalize Israel and that would deny the Jewish people the right of
national self-determination, a right proclaimed by none other than the
United Nations.
Many of us have been fighting for years to advance a future for the
Israelis and Palestinians of two states for two peoples living side by
side in peace and security. Building that future will require hard work
and concessions.
BDS says that the onus is entirely on Israel. All concessions have to
come from Israel, and the Palestinians should reject negotiations and
just allow international pressure to build on Israel.
That is not how negotiations work, and it is no way to promote peace.
That is why this movement is so counterproductive, in my view.
Do you want to criticize a government? That is your right. Do you
want to stop buying products from a certain country? That is also your
right.
But participating in an international commercial effort that
undermines Israel's legitimacy and scuttles the chances of a two-state
solution isn't the same as an individual exercising First Amendment
rights.
I continue to believe that a two-state solution that guarantees self-
determination for both Jews and Palestinians--not one or the other--is
the best way to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I believe that
the overwhelming majority of our colleagues in this body agree with me,
and Congress has said so before in bipartisan resolutions.
Today, we have the opportunity to reiterate that point and to warn
against something that would derail that solution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2019.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, House
of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Johnson: I am writing to you concerning
H.Res. 246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of
Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
Movement targeting Israel. I appreciate your willingness to
work cooperatively on this resolution.
[[Page H7183]]
I acknowledge that provisions of the resolution fall within
jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space and
Technology under House Rule X, and that your Committee will
forgo action on H.Res. 246 to expedite floor consideration. I
further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with
respect to the resolution does not waive any future
jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the
measure that fall within your jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to
continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Eliot L. Engel,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2019.
Chairman Eliot Engel,
Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Engel: I am writing to you concerning H.Res.
246, ``Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel
and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
targeting Israel.'' This resolution was sequentially referred
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (``Science
Committee'') on March 21, 2019.
The Science Committee will forgo action on H.Res. 246 in
order to expedite floor consideration. This is, however, not
a waiver of future jurisdictional claims by the Science
Committee over this subject matter. Additionally, thank you
for agreeing to include our exchange of letters in the
Congressional Record.
Sincerely,
Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Nadler: I am writing to you concerning H.Res.
246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and
the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
targeting Israel. I appreciate your willingness to work
cooperatively on this resolution.
I acknowledge that provisions of the resolution fall within
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Judiciary under House
Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.Res.
246 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge
that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the
resolution does not waive any future jurisdictional claim
over the matters contained in the measure that fall within
your jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to
continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Eliot L. Engel,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2019.
Hon. Eliot Engel,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the
Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to
review the provisions in H.Res. 246, Opposing efforts to
delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel, that
fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your
consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary
Committee has no objection to your including them in the
resolution for consideration on the House floor, and to
expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on
H.Res. 246, with the understanding that we do not thereby
waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions
or their subject matters.
Please place this letter into the Congressional Record
during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank
you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked
regarding this matter and others between our committees.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, July 19, 2019.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chaiwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Waters: I am writing to you concerning
H.Res. 246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of
Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
Movement targeting Israel. I appreciate your willingness to
work cooperatively on this resolution.
I acknowledge that provisions of the resolution fall within
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services under
House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on
H.Res. 246 to expedite floor consideration. I further
acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect
to the resolution does not waive any future jurisdictional
claim over the matters contained in the measure that fall
within your jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to
continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Eliot L. Engel,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, July 22, 2019.
Hon. Eliot Engel,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.Res. 246,
Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the
Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions targeting Israel.
Because you have been working with the Committee on
Financial Services concerning provisions in H.Res. 246 that
fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo formal
consideration of H.Res. 246 so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee on Financial
Services takes this action to forego formal consideration of
H.Res. 246 with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing
formal consideration of H.Res. 246 at this time, we do not
waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in
this or similar legislation.
Finally, I would request that a copy of our exchange of
letters on this matter be included in the Congressional
Record during floor consideration of H.Res. 246.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 246. This is a bipartisan
resolution I introduced with Brad Schneider, Jerry Nadler, and Ann
Wagner to oppose BDS and efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel,
which is now up to 350 cosponsors.
We must combat the BDS movement targeting our great ally in the
Middle East. The BDS movement seeks to harm Israel today, tomorrow, and
well into the future.
It is an American value to be able to express legitimate, reasonable
criticism of any government in the world, including our own. The BDS
movement, though, is different, and we must reject the blatant anti-
Semitism injected throughout BDS and the delegitimizing of Israel.
We must educate and all be aware of the toxic, anti-Semitic words of
the founder of BDS and how we have so many Jewish students on college
campuses right here in the United States from coast to coast targeted
with blatant anti-Semitism in the name of BDS.
Congress needs to make a very strong, bipartisan statement against
BDS, and this resolution does just that. In addition, we should also
enact legislation with teeth.
In February, the Senate passed anti-BDS legislation, S. 1, with a
strong, bipartisan vote. This bill allows State and local governments
to adopt laws to divest public funds from entities that boycott Israel.
Lead Republican McCaul already has a bill in the House, H.R. 336, that
is identical to S. 1 and contains the anti-BDS legislation.
I strongly encourage the Speaker to bring this bill to the floor as
well so that not only are we making a strong statement, but we are also
doing something about it.
I am grateful to House leadership for bringing H. Res. 246 to the
floor today, for Chairman Engel's work and his team's work in the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, and to lead Republican McCaul and his team.
Mr. Speaker, this is a big deal. I am honored to work with you on
this important effort, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Nadler), who is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 246.
This resolution, modeled on legislation passed
[[Page H7184]]
by the New York City Council, is fully consistent with the First
Amendment and affirms the rights of those who support the global BDS
movement to voice their opinions. Importantly, it also puts Congress on
Record rejecting this misguided and deceptive movement that is neither
progressive in its conduct nor pro-peace in its ultimate mission.
BDS proponents advocate for a complete boycott of Israeli businesses,
individuals, and institutions--including academic institutions, which
are supposed to be bastions of intellectual freedom--hypocritically
seeking to deny all Israeli citizens the same rights and freedoms that
BDS supporters claim that they themselves are denied.
Not only does the movement, at times, invoke anti-Semitic tropes and
seemingly promote violence, it unfairly blames one party in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and does nothing to promote direct
negotiations to achieve a two-state solution, which is the only path to
a fair peace.
In fact, the founder of the movement, when asked whether BDS would
end when Palestinians were able to establish their own state, flatly
says ``no.'' That tells you everything you need to know, Mr. Speaker.
Instead of promoting peace and a two-state solution, the mission of
BDS is clear: to delegitimize Israel, regardless of its policies or
conduct, and to deny the Jewish people, and only the Jewish people, the
right of national self-determination.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is a senior member of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
I applaud Mr. Schneider and Mr. Zeldin for sponsoring this important
resolution. I especially thank Chairman Eliot Engel for his very
eloquent comments a moment ago.
Not wishing to be redundant, I will just say this because I associate
myself with their strong and persuasive remarks: The great former
Soviet refusenik and religious prisoner Natan Sharansky, who testified
at two of about a dozen hearings that I have chaired on combating anti-
Semitism, proposed what he called a simple test to help us distinguish
legitimate criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism. Sharansky called it
the three Ds, demonization, double standard, and delegitimization.
When the three Ds are advanced, we know that anti-Semitism is the
issue. The BDS movement demonizes Israel and, by extension, Jews, who
are always cast in the role of oppressors, who are always in the wrong.
In so doing, it applies a double standard, whereby Israel is always
wrong and the oppressed Palestinians are always in the right,
regardless of whether groups such as Hamas are engaging in terroristic
acts upon Israeli citizens. The objective of this is to delegitimize
the State of Israel, to deny its very right to exist.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud them on this bill, and I hope this vote is
unanimous.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Schneider), who is the author of this resolution.
Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in support of H.
Res. 246, of which I am the sponsor.
This resolution does four things.
First, it affirms the vital relationship between the United States
and Israel, our most important ally in a complicated region of the
world.
Second, it reiterates our unbreakable commitment to Israel's
security.
Third, it restates Congress' strong, bipartisan support for a
negotiated two-state solution.
Lastly, it makes clear that Congress opposes the global Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions, or BDS, movement that seeks to delegitimize
Israel; opposes a two-state solution; and pushes the cause of peace for
both Israelis and Palestinians further out of reach.
It has been our country's long-held policy that the best path to
ensuring Israel's long-term security as a democratic and Jewish state,
and realizing the Palestinian people's aspirations for a state of their
own, is through a negotiated two-state solution.
The global BDS movement, on the other hand, denies the Jewish
people's connection to the land of Israel; refuses to accept the basic
idea of a Jewish state; and seeks to delegitimize Israel in
international forums, on college campuses, and in global commerce.
But don't take my word for it. The founder of the global BDS
movement, Omar Barghouti, has said as much: ``We oppose a Jewish state
in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a
sellout Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.''
When global BDS movement supporters chant, ``From the river to the
sea, Palestine will be free,'' these are not words of peace. This is a
call for the destruction of the entire State of Israel and the
elimination of the Jews from the land--all the land, not just Gaza and
the West Bank.
That is why it is so important that we take a stand today and vote to
condemn the global BDS movement.
Let me also be clear: This resolution explicitly recognizes that
boycotts have a long tradition in this country, including the civil
rights movement, efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, and other
matters. However, not all boycotts seek just ends.
Such is the case of the BDS movement against Israel and its
fundamental aims: the delegitimization of Israel and the destruction of
the Jewish state.
I am proud that this resolution has gained 350 cosponsors, including
more than three-quarters of the Members of both parties. I would like
to thank the leadership of my Democratic colead Congressman Jerry
Nadler as well as the efforts of our Republican coleads,
Representatives Lee Zeldin and Ann Wagner.
This strong, bipartisan support sends a clear, united message that
this Congress not only supports the Jewish, democratic State of Israel
and two states as the path to peace for both Israelis and Palestinians
but that at the same time we condemn efforts to delegitimize and block
the path to peace.
{time} 1545
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the esteemed Republican whip.
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate both of my colleagues from New
York, the distinguished gentlemen, Mr. Zeldin and Mr. Engel, for their
strong leadership in standing up against this BDS movement.
I think we all know what it is designed to do. It is designed to
delegitimize Israel as a Jewish state and to undermine their economy,
which ultimately goes to the heart of trying to bring down Israel by
people who have been against a Jewish state and expressed anti-Semitism
for decades. We all need to stand up against that, and so this
resolution is incredibly important.
As my other colleague just mentioned, our nations had a rich history
of using boycotts to promote freedom. There are other boycotts that
have been displayed to undermine freedom, and that is really where the
BDS movement is in a very different category. I think we all need to
make that distinction.
If a boycott is being used to advance freedom, that is one we should
support; but if a boycott is being used to undermine the very freedoms
that exist in the only real elected democracy in the Middle East, we
all need to rise up against that as people who respect that great
tradition, that great love between the United States and Israel, an
unbreakable bond, one that brings Republicans and Democrats together.
We need to continue that tradition.
But I would also add, Mr. Speaker, that, as we are talking about why
we need to oppose the BDS movement with this resolution, words are
hollow if we don't follow it up with action. So, at the same time, Mr.
Speaker, hopefully, we get an overwhelming, maybe unanimous, vote on
this resolution.
It is long past time that the Democrat leadership of this House bring
up H.R. 336 by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), the bill that
actually puts teeth in the law to stand up against the BDS movement all
around the world.
Here, even, sometimes in Congress or in other states, but in other
countries
[[Page H7185]]
where they are trying to advance this movement, we need teeth--words
and action. So these are words today. We need to follow it up with H.R.
336, real action.
Mr. Speaker, I urge that we stand strong together.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Mrs. Murphy).
Mrs. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the State of Israel. It
is a homeland for the Jewish people and a sanctuary from anti-Semitism.
Israel is a thriving democracy, and its citizens have made enormous
contributions to our global society.
The U.S. has no better friend than Israel. And, yes, on occasion, our
two governments will disagree on certain policies, as all sovereign
nations do, but our strong alliance is rooted in shared values, shared
security interest, and a deep historical connection.
I also believe the Palestinian people have legitimate aspirations,
deserve a better future, and should have their own state. I support
direct negotiations between the parties leading to two states living
together in peace and security.
I support this bipartisan resolution because the BDS movement makes a
just peace harder, not easier. It unfairly vilifies Israel, blaming it,
and it alone, for this complex conflict.
American citizens have the right to boycott, and boycotts often
promote positive change, but the BDS movement is misguided and harmful,
and Congress should say so unequivocally.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Deutch), chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East,
North Africa, and International Terrorism, and a valued member of the
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 246 and to voice my
relentless opposition to the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
campaign that seeks to delegitimize the State of Israel and deny the
Jewish people--and only the Jewish people--the right to self-
determination.
This resolution reminds us that boycotts have been previously used as
tools for social justice in this very country. But BDS doesn't seek
social justice. It seeks a world in which the State of Israel does not
exist.
It is not incompatible to support a strong, secure Jewish State of
Israel and to support human rights, dignity, and prosperity for the
Palestinian people. It is incompatible, however, to support BDS and
claim to support two states for two people when BDS envisions Palestine
from the river to the sea, one state, and the other, rejection of the
Jewish State of Israel.
You simply will not, and cannot, achieve lasting peace and security
for both Israelis and Palestinians and work toward a two-state solution
if you support a movement that seeks to delegitimize the very existence
of Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Schneider, Mr.
Zeldin, Mr. Nadler, and Mrs. Wagner, for bringing this resolution to
the floor today. I strongly support their efforts.
I strongly support this resolution condemning BDS, and I urge all of
my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note, really, from coast
to coast, we are hearing stories of students on college campuses, in
the name of BDS, being targeted with blatant anti-Semitism.
For example, at New York University, after the student government
passed a resolution supporting BDS, the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life
was temporarily closed in response to threatening Twitter posts by a
student who expressed ``a desire for Zionists to die.''
A University of Michigan professor refused to write a letter of
recommendation for a qualified student solely because she wanted to
study abroad in Israel.
A Students for Justice in Palestine cofounder and University of
California, Berkeley, professor spoke at a national conference and
shared the anti-Semitism meme of an Orthodox Jewish person in his
presentation.
At Warren Wilson College, an invited speaker stated: ``Jews are doing
the same thing to the Palestinians as the Nazis did to the Jews.''
A Yik Yak posting at the University of California read: ``Gas them,
burn them, and dismantle their power structure. Humanity cannot
progress with the parasitic Jew.''
More globally, University of Durban in South Africa called for the
expulsion of Jewish students who did not support the BDS movement at
the university.
It is really important for people who may just be getting familiar
with what BDS is to know that, right now, we have so many Jewish
students who are being targeted with this blatant anti-Semitism, and
that is why today's statement sends such a powerful message.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the House to pass this resolution
which opposes efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel through the
global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement. This resolution
reiterates that there is a viable pathway to peace: through direct
negotiations to achieve two states for two people.
If implemented, the BDS movement would blacklist Israeli businesses,
devastate the Israeli economy, and create doubt about Israel's
legitimacy among the next generation. That undermines any possibility
of achieving a lasting peace.
The global rise of anti-Semitism is manifesting itself in many
terrifying ways, and we must remain vigilant. This resolution is
paramount in ensuring that BDS supporters cannot utilize this movement
to promote an anti-Semitic agenda.
BDS does not seek and will not help achieve Israeli-Palestinian
peace. In fact, it pushes the hope for a two-state solution even
further away. BDS only gives fodder to Israel's enemies who seek to
destroy her and isolate her from the rest of the world.
Direct, bilateral negotiations between the parties is the only option
for a viable, long-lasting peace.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, some supporters of the BDS movement--in fact, the
movement, in total, makes the argument that Israel is the bad guy on
humanitarian issues, on human rights.
It is important to note, Israel has a long history of LGBT
protections and women's rights enshrined in Israeli law that is in
stark contrast to its Middle East neighbors.
Regardless of ethnicity or religion, there are broad freedoms in
Israel, including the right to vote, freedom of speech, equal access to
education and the workplace, and no special restrictions on the way
women dress. By law, women are protected from discrimination.
In fact, Israel's declaration of independence grants all Israel's
inhabitants equality of social and political rights, irrespective of
religion, race, or gender. Even Palestinians in the autonomous regions
have voting rights and receive social services.
Under Israeli jurisdiction, some 350,000 Palestinian residents in
Jerusalem receive certain civilian welfare, health, and municipal
services. In other parts of the Middle East, it is a monarchy with no
voting rights whatsoever.
Hamas has repeatedly denied humanitarian aid offered by Israel. In
May 2018, when there were clashes on the border, Gaza refused two
truckloads of aid from Israel to relieve medical shortages.
There are so many falsehoods that have been perpetrated by supporters
of the BDS movement, and that is, again, another reason why today's
resolution is such a powerful statement.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Suozzi), my very good friend.
Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel) for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, the BDS campaign has been heralded by critics and
enemies of
[[Page H7186]]
Israel as a penalty for what they claim is Israel's oppression of the
Palestine people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
These critics and enemies of Israel are, in reality, simply adding
the BDS campaign to their arsenal of weapons to try and isolate,
weaken, delegitimize, and, ultimately, destroy the State of Israel, as
they have for decades.
For over 70 years, Israelis have faced repeated terrorism, bombs
detonated on public buses, in cafes, and at religious observances. This
terrorism has been beaten back by a nation simply trying to defend
itself and persevere under withering attacks.
So now Israel's enemies have adopted a new strategy. BDS is an anti-
Semitic movement, plain and simple.
The founder of BDS, Omar Barghouti, said it very clearly: `` . . . we
oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian . . .
will ever accept a Jewish state.''
The goals of BDS are clear. Just read their words.
Israel shall not and cannot yield. And we in the United States must
stand with our ally that shares our values and has also worked with us.
Mr. Speaker, I urge strong bipartisan support of this bill.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Suozzi just pointed out one quote. Earlier, we heard another
quote from the BDS founder. I will share one more. He also stated--and
this is the founder of the BDS movement: ``Many of the methods of
collective and individual `punishment' meted out to Palestinian
civilians at the hands of young, racist, often sadistic and ever
impervious Israeli soldiers . . . are reminiscent of the common Nazi
practices against the Jews.''
The list goes on and on. As people out there are listening to this
debate, becoming familiar with what the BDS movement is, just
understand and take heed of the words from the BDS movement founder,
Omar Barghouti.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).
Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this
bipartisan solution opposing the boycott of Israel and supporting a
two-state solution.
I want to thank Chairman Engel for his excellent leadership on this
important issue and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer for
bringing this resolution to the floor.
With this bill and 349 cosponsors, it is very clear that Members of
both parties support our vital ally, Israel, the leading democracy in
the Middle East, because our countries share common interests and
fundamental values, and Israel's security is key to America's
security--to fighting Hezbollah, Hamas, PIJ, and global terror.
However, the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, BDS, Movement
seeks to delegitimize Israel and deny its right to exist as a Jewish
state.
As Mr. Suozzi, my colleague, just so aptly read, the founder of BDS,
Omar Barghouti, said it very clearly: ``Definitely, most definitely, we
oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian,
rational Palestinian, not a sell-out Palestinian, will ever accept a
Jewish state.''
That exactly captures what we are fighting here today. There are few
clearer examples of bias and double standards than the BDS movement. No
other democratic country faces a global boycott.
But BDS is also fundamentally incompatible with a two-state solution,
which I strongly support. BDS seeks to punish only Israel, and it
rejects direct negotiations in favor of unilateral strategy. That is
why it is so important that Congress goes on record opposing BDS and
other harmful efforts to single out and delegitimize Israel.
Standing up for the U.S.-Israel relationship should not be a partisan
issue. That is why the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus are proud
to support this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman from New Jersey.
{time} 1600
Mr. GOTTHEIMER. This resolution was introduced by our colleague
Congressman Brad Schneider, along with Congressman Lee Zeldin, Chairman
Jerry Nadler, and Congresswoman Ann Wagner.
They have all done an excellent job. Nothing in this resolution would
prevent anyone, in any way, from being able to engage in free speech.
That is not what this is about, and we must not allow false attacks on
Israel.
Mr. Speaker, today, we must continue to make sure that confronting
biased anti-Semitism and supporting a two-state solution remain
bipartisan priorities.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
BDS supporters also claim that the BDS movement is nonviolent. The
BDS movement does not distance itself from Hamas, a designated Foreign
Terrorist Organization. BDS supporters, individually, are not
distancing themselves from Hamas either. Instead, their criticism is
focused on attacking Israel and, in many cases, the Jewish people
specifically.
Two Fridays ago, Fathi Hammad, a senior Hamas official, called upon
Palestinians worldwide: ``Our brothers'' in the diaspora ``are still
preparing. They are trying to prepare. They are warming up. A long time
has passed with them warming up. All of you 7 million Palestinians
abroad, enough of the warming up. You have Jews everywhere, and we must
attack every Jew on the globe by way of slaughter and killing, if God
permits. Enough of the warming up.''
Where are all the supporters of BDS condemning these remarks? This is
two Fridays ago, calling for the murder of every Jew in the world.
During a closed meeting in October 2017 between Hamas chief Sinwar
and Gazan youth about reconciling with the Fatah movement, Sinwar
stated that the time spent discussing recognition of Israel is over and
that now Hamas will, instead, discuss when they will wipe out Israel.
Hamas uses women and children as human shields. They deny
humanitarian aid to their own people. They incite violence. They have
launched rockets into Israel, killing innocent civilians. They have
declared that jihad is an obligation. That list goes on.
The Palestinian Authority, not only do they incite violence, but they
financially reward terror, by policy. If you kill an Israeli or an
American, you get called a martyr. You will have streets and football
stadiums renamed after you. You and your family will get paid money.
There are existential threats all around Israel. To the north, with
Hezbollah, another designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, they have
built terror tunnels. They have amassed tens of thousands of rockets on
the border between Lebanon and Israel.
Every year, Hamas mobilizes Palestinians in their Days of Rage to
attack Israelis at the border, calling on people to throw rocks and
fire missiles at Israel, which often result in actual violence,
including death, targeting innocent civilians.
This past May, Hamas fired approximately 700 rockets into Israel,
killing innocent civilians. Hamas has used incendiary kites and
balloons, which have destroyed some 8,000 acres of Israeli farms,
parks, and forests.
Earlier this year, Hamas carried out the Salift operation, sending
out operatives to murder Israelis, including Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, a
father of 12.
Where are all the BDS supporters in the United States, on college
campuses, people who are involved in American politics, those who are
at the United Nations, those who are abroad? Where is their voice right
now? If everything that they say about their cause is legitimate and
reasonable, that their concern is one that the entire world should be
taking heed of and caution to, where is their voice condemning all the
actual violence right now of Palestinian terrorists murdering innocent
Israelis and, in some cases, Americans?
Taylor Force--the Taylor Force Act that this Chamber passed and was
signed into law--he was a United States Military Academy graduate, an
Army veteran, a United States Army veteran, who was killed. The PA pays
those terrorists and their families to commit those terrorist acts.
We are here in this Chamber to call that out for exactly what it is,
in bipartisan fashion.
I appreciate Chairman Engel's work at the Foreign Affairs Committee.
I see
[[Page H7187]]
Chairman Deutch is still here, along with many other voices around this
Capitol who believe strongly in this effort on the other side of the
aisle. We need to work together to combat the BDS movement. This is an
important next step.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time for the
purpose of closing.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) has
7 minutes remaining. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) has 4\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, with regard to the BDS movement, the supporters make
territorial claims as it relates to Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the West
Bank.
Let's clear up the record a little more on that. Judea and Samaria,
often referred to as the West Bank, contain disputed territory, not
occupied territory. Israel ended up with this territory after it was
attacked, before there was even a Palestinian Authority. Time and
again, the PA has rejected peace proposals because they refuse,
publicly and privately, to accept a Jewish state in Israel. That is on
them. In 2008, Israel offered to withdraw from 93 percent from Judea
and Samaria.
As for Gaza, Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, they
are in charge. There is no Israeli occupation there. This small strip
of land is packed out with 1.7 million people living in sub-Third World
country conditions because of Hamas. As was pointed out earlier, Hamas
refuses humanitarian aid, uses women and children as human shields,
calls jihad as an obligation, and murders innocent civilians.
One of the most important reasons we are here today is not only
making a strong statement in opposition to the BDS movement but also to
refute all the lies that are being told out there.
People will speak up to try to justify the hate that is filling the
ranks of the BDS movement, and they will never tell you the other 100
percent of the story. This Chamber today comes together, Republicans
and Democrats, both sides of the aisle, to make that powerful
statement.
There is a list of victims--we don't have enough time to go through
it--of Palestinian violence and terrorism in 2019. Mr. Speaker, 1,355
people have been killed by Palestinian violence and terrorism since
September of 2000--1,355 people.
Never will the BDS supporters take any opportunity to set the record
straight on any of that, but we will here.
I see that Brad Schneider is with us as well, the main author of the
bill. This is a bipartisan effort that I am very proud to be part of
today.
Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for speaking today, as well
as Chris Smith and Minority Whip Scalise. This is something that we are
very passionate about.
We also believe that the strong statement that is going to be made
here today with this vote is not the last step of this Chamber's
speaking out. I really hope that we all can work together in a
bipartisan fashion to figure out how to do something about it, to be
able to pass legislation with teeth.
Today is nothing short of progress, and it is something for all of us
to be proud of around our country and around the world because it
should be an American value to stand strong, shoulder to shoulder with
our great ally, our greatest ally in the Middle East in Israel. It is a
beacon of hope, freedom, liberty, and opportunity.
Americans, in our day-to-day lives, don't even realize just how much
we are using Israeli technology, American companies that have used
Israeli technology. We probably have used it multiple times just today.
You can't boycott Israel and, at the same exact time, spend your
entire day using Israeli technology. You can't boycott Israel and
travel to Israel.
We are going to call out the hypocrisies that exist. Ultimately, as
we flush this out, let's work together. This is about advocacy. It is
also about education.
When I came to Congress in 2015, honestly, there were a lot of
Members of Congress that, if you asked them, ``Where do you stand on
the BDS movement?'' their answer would have been, ``What is BDS?''
Now, in 2019, here we are, July 2019, coming together. We know what
BDS is: Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. We know it is
filled with anti-Israel hate. We know it is about delegitimizing
Israel. We know that it is filled with anti-Semitism, from the founder
of BDS to those in the name of BDS on college campuses from coast to
coast.
I plead with all of my colleagues, if we can all work together as we
move past this great vote today, that we can next pass legislation that
has teeth in it.
Mr. Speaker, I thank, again, Brad Schneider, Jerry Nadler, Ann
Wagner, the 350 cosponsors, and, hopefully, everyone today voting
``yes.'' I thank lead Republican Michael McCaul on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee.
This is a resolution for us all to be proud of. We should all vote
``yes,'' tell all of our constituents about it, and redouble our
efforts to do something about it right after that vote.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am
really heartened by the outpouring of support we have heard from both
sides of the aisle involving the U.S.-Israel relationship and involving
the unfair BDS movement against Israel.
I thank all the people who have spoken in favor of this resolution--
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) and others who have spoken--
because it shows that, when it comes to support for the U.S.-Israel
relationship, there really is no difference between Democrats and
Republicans.
Israel should not be a political football. We support the U.S.-Israel
relationship, and we know that BDS is very destructive, very unfair,
very anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic, and should have no place in the public
spectrum.
I think that this Chamber is getting together. If we look at the
numbers we bring to the floor today, they really speak for themselves.
Almost 80 percent of the House of Representatives has cosponsored this
resolution.
There are Members not just from different sides of the aisle but from
across the entire political spectrum, from one end to the other,
supporting this resolution, saying the BDS movement is unfair, that the
BDS movement singles out Israel, that the BDS movement is really
supported by people who want to see the destruction of the world's only
Jewish state, and that is not something that we can stand idly by and
watch happen.
I have never been prouder of this body--and I have been here for a
while now--than I am tonight. I am proud of my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle.
Again, I think the reason why we have that kind of support is clear.
Congress supports the U.S.-Israel relationship. We support a two-state
solution. We support the rights enshrined in the First Amendment.
We know that the global BDS movement threatens the possibility of
future peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It is that simple.
We know that the global BDS movement threatens what is fair. We know
that the global BDS movement is really a fraud. It is a fraud. It is
Israel-hating. It is Jew-hating.
We have had enough of that in the world. Frankly, they should be
ashamed of themselves.
I would like to note that today's resolution is a very powerful
rebuke of the global BDS movement, more powerful than any particular
legislative proposal. What we are saying today, to those who want to
see a peaceful end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is that the
global BDS movement has no place here.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this measure. I urge all Members to
do likewise. Again, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I
have never seen Congress as united as it is on this resolution, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolution 246, opposing the
anti-Semitic Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions--or BDS--
movement and all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel.
[[Page H7188]]
It is important that we clearly state our opposition to the BDS
movement, as this non-binding resolution with 349 cosponsors before us
does. However, it is even more important that we take strong
legislative actions to defend Israel.
As hateful as this growing movement is, sadly, it is not new.
Over 40 years ago, the Arab League began its boycott of Israel. In
response to this boycott, Congress passed a law that makes it illegal
to participate in foreign boycotts of U.S. allies.
Today, the Global BDS movement seeks to pressure Israel by using
Israel's participation in the global economy, in academic exchanges,
and in cultural activities as leverage.
For example, the BDS movement tries to pressure recording artists
from performing in Israel.
It tries to keep students from studying abroad in Israel. It tries to
keep consumers from purchasing Israeli goods.
Not only is the BDS movement antithetical to the values of openness
and exchange shared by the United States, Israel, and free democracies
all over the world, it is antithetical to peace.
As threats to U.S. allies, including Israel, evolve over time, we
must update our policies to effectively stand with our partners. In
weakening Israel, the global BDS movement endangers the national
security of the United States.
I introduced a real legislative solution in January--H.R. 336, the
Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act. This bill has
direct policy implications by allowing state and local governments to
adopt laws to divest public funds from entities that boycott Israel.
Additionally, it would sanction the Assad regime and its backers for
their malign activities, and strengthen our support for Israel and
Jordan.
While I support today's resolution, I regret that we are not
considering H.R. 336 instead. The Senate companion to H.R. 336, S.1,
was the first bill the Senate considered this Congress, demonstrating
how urgent it was.
It passed with robust bipartisan support.
But, neither S.1, nor my House companion H. R. 336, have received
consideration in this body.
Standing up for Israel has never been a difficult decision for the
United States Congress.
It wasn't difficult for Senator Chuck Schumer when he voted in favor
of S.1, and it wasn't difficult for over half of the Democrats and
nearly all Republicans in the Senate when they too supported the bill.
Just as we passed the original anti-boycott act 40 years ago, we must
update our laws to protect our interests.
When foreign entities foster boycotts against Israel in the United
States, they are interfering in U.S. policy, and it is appropriate for
our government to respond.
We take a first step today by publicly acknowledging BDS is dangerous
and antiSemitic; but tomorrow we must take real actions--and advance
the real policies in my bill--to protect Israel and combat the BDS
movement.
I want to thank Mr. Schneider, Mr. Zeldin, Ms. Wagner, Mr. Nadler,
Chairman Engel and the Foreign Affairs Committee Membership for their
bipartisan work to counter this threat to our friend and ally Israel.
I sincerely hope all Members vote in favor of this resolution that
shows our solidarity with our friend and ally Israel, and hope we can
vote on my bill this week.
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, peaceful dissent and the protesting of
injustice are the right of all Americans guaranteed by the
Constitution. It is called freedom of speech. H. Res. 246 renounces the
peaceful promotion of human rights, self-determination, and justice on
behalf of Palestinian people living under Israeli military occupation.
At the same time, this resolution completely ignores the Netanyahu
government's brutality, dehumanization, and subjugation of Palestinian
people at the root of this peaceful movement.
The State of Israel is a sovereign nation, an ally of the United
States, and a military power that occupies Palestinian lands for the
benefit of Jewish settlers. H. Res. 246 originally claimed that the use
of voluntary boycotts, divestment, and sanctions ``undermines the
possibility of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.'' I am pleased that this language has been removed.
I am also very pleased that resolving clause 3 was added to affirm
the Constitutional right of U.S. citizens to free speech, including
``the right to protest or criticize the policies of the United States
or a foreign government.''
Israel cannot be delegitimized by any outside movement, it is a
nation-state that is selfgoverned and makes its own laws, its own
policies. Sadly, and I say sadly because I want peace and security for
the Israeli people, it is the actions of the Netanyahu government that
delegitimizes Israel's standing in the world community.
Today's Washington Post ran a headline: ``Israeli demolition of
Palestinian homes provokes outcry.'' Is this the action of a nation
seeking peaceful negotiations? Is the annexation of Palestinian lands
or the military detention and torture of Palestinian children an effort
to seek a negotiated peace agreement?
Under Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel is engaged in a systemic,
violent, and repressive strategy to annex Palestinian lands and
permanently displace the Palestinian population, not seek a negotiated
peace or a two-state solution. Shamefully, the President of the United
States and the U.S. ambassador to Israel are enabling this effort in a
reversal of decades of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy.
Actions by Congress, like passing H. Res. 246, which ignore reality
and effectively supports military occupation, violations of
international humanitarian law, and the subjugation of the Palestinian
population, does not strengthen Israel, but it does damage the standing
of the U.S. House in the eyes of the world.
It is time for Congress to exercise real American leadership that is
based on our values and the belief that Israel deserves peace and
security, and at the same time the Palestinian people deserve justice,
equality, and an end to Israeli repression and occupation. H. Res. 246
offers nothing but the perpetuation of the status quo, repression, and
conflict.
I am voting to oppose H. Res. 246.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 246, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________