[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OPPOSING GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I will vote in support of H. Res. 246, a 
resolution opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) 
movement against Israel.
  While it will be a difficult vote, I support this resolution because 
some individuals leading the BDS movement have engaged in anti-
Semitic rhetoric and actions and have questioned the right of Israel to 
exist. While not perfect, this resolution sends an important message 
that anti-Semitism is unacceptable.
  Let me be clear: anti-Semitism, as with any other form of racism or 
discrimination, is antithetical to the values and aspirations of the 
American people. I am disturbed by the rise of anti-Semitism in the 
United States and other parts of the world, and I am troubled by the 
fact that the genocide that took place during the Holocaust is fading 
from memory.
  That's why I have taken substantive actions to combat anti-Semitism, 
including joining the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-
Semitism, voting in support of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat 
Anti-Semitism Act of 2018, and voting in support of a resolution 
condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry and intolerance. I 
am also a cosponsor of the Never Again Education Act, which would help 
address the rise in anti-Semitism by granting teachers across the 
country the resources and training necessary to teach our children the 
lessons of the Holocaust and the horrific consequences of hate and 
intolerance.
  At the same time, I agree with this resolution's statements that 
boycotts and related actions are legitimate forms of free speech 
protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. That's 
why I am cosponsoring H. Res. 496, a resolution affirming that all 
Americans have the right to participate in boycotts, as protected by 
the First Amendment to the Constitution. I have also consistently 
opposed--and will continue to oppose--any legislation that would punish 
or criminalize individuals' constitutionally-protected right to free 
speech.
  I also agree with the stated support for a two-state solution in H. 
Res. 246. I have consistently supported a two-state solution throughout 
my time in Congress, and I am once again a cosponsor of legislation 
stating that any U.S. plan or proposal for peace in the Middle East 
must include and center on a two-state solution. A two-state solution 
will not only secure Israel's future as a democratic, Jewish state, it 
will also advance U.S. security interests in the region and enhance our 
ability to confront the threats posed by Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and 
other dubious actors in the Middle East.
  Unfortunately, this resolution does nothing to address the fact that 
the Trump administration and the Israeli government under Prime 
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have taken a number of actions that 
severely undermine a two-state solution. This includes the Trump 
administration's decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the 
Israeli capital, to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, to 
greenlight the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West 
Bank, and to discontinue U.S. contributions to the United Nations 
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and bilateral assistance to the 
Palestinians--all decisions which I strongly oppose. Regrettably, the 
Trump administration's actions have undermined the confidence among 
Palestinians and Arab countries in the region that the U.S. desires to 
play a productive role as a neutral mediator in the Middle East peace 
process.
  As an ally of Israel, the United States invests more than $3 billion 
in aid to Israel annually. Accordingly, I believe it is only 
appropriate that lawmakers voice their legitimate concerns with Israeli 
policies in a constructive way, as I have done throughout my time in 
Congress and will continue to do. That's why I have joined my 
colleagues in urging the Israeli government not to demolish Palestinian 
communities in the West Bank, cosponsored legislation such as the 
Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of 
Palestinian Children Act, and continued to urge President Trump to 
restore vital aid to the Palestinians. Protecting human rights, 
regardless of any ongoing tension between Israelis and Palestinians, 
should be a fundamental American value.
  It is only through thoughtful, respectful, nuanced debate that 
Congress can productively contribute towards resolving the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict and addressing the legitimate needs of both 
peoples. The bottom line is it is critical that the U.S. pursue 
policies that will move Israelis and Palestinians towards a negotiated, 
two-state solution, and I will continue to push the Trump 
administration and Congress to do so.

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