[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OPPOSING GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT TARGETING 
                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LOIS FRANKEL

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Ms. FRANKEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 246, a 
bipartisan resolution that opposes the Boycott, Divestment and 
Sanctions (BDS) movement aimed against Israel, strongly supports a two-
state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and affirms the 
Constitutional right of American citizens to free speech.
  Let's be clear about what BDS is and is not--BDS is not a social 
justice movement. It ignores Palestinian terrorist attacks targeting 
Israeli civilians, including more than 18,000 rockets and 105 suicide 
bombings, as well as human rights abuses perpetrated by Palestinian 
leaders against their own people.
  BDS is an international effort to economically, politically and 
culturally isolate our close ally Israel. It undermines prospects for a 
two-state solution by punishing Israel with economic harm in order to 
force concessions by Israel alone and encouraging the Palestinians to 
reject negotiations in favor of international pressure.
  BDS does not recognize the right of the Jewish people to national 
self-determination, a right proclaimed by the United Nations. Some of 
its supporters even advocate for Israel's complete destruction. Omar 
Barghouti, a co-founder of the movement, has said, ``Most definitely, 
we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine.''
  I am pleased that members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, 
understand that a secure Israel is important for our country as well as 
our allies. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this resolution which puts 
Congress on the record opposing the discriminatory BDS campaign against 
Israel and supporting a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian 
conflict resulting in two states.

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