The New York State Assembly passed on its last day of the legislative session a resolution rejecting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and reaffirming its support for Israel.
The resolution, introduced by Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn) and co-sponsored by 74 members, rejects the BDS movement and all activities in New York, which “undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution and the right of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination.”
“This Legislative Body is concerned that the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and its agenda are damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human rights for all peoples in the Middle East,” the resolution reads. “New Yorkers defend the inalienable right to free speech, [and] recognize that punitive economic measures targeting Israel undermine dialogue, economic cooperation and political reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, which is the necessary foundation for a lasting peace in the Middle East,” the resolution states. “The BDS movement’s policies and tactics negate and undermine the vibrant debate regarding the Israel-Palestinian relationship, which is based on a recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State.”
The resolution also recognizes Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, reaffirms the Assembly’s support for the State of Israel “as the sovereign homeland of the Jewish people,” and points out that Israel and the US share “a common bond rooted in the values of freedom, democracy and equal rights.”
“As the proud prime sponsor of the anti-BDS resolution – a legislative act denouncing the anti-Israel global campaign which strikes directly against Israel’s sovereignty and statehood – I want to commend my colleagues in the New York State Assembly for making a clear and resounding bipartisan statement against this anti-Semitic movement,” Mosley told JP following the vote. “While we, as trustees of our great state, seek to ensure that any level of bigotry and prejudice does not go unchallenged – this unequivocal and definitive statement of support for Israel is a necessary first step in our clear opposition to this movement and its so-called supporters.”
“This is a very proud day for the New York State Assembly,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “With partisanship often preventing action, support for Israel is one issue that continues to unite elected officials all across the country. I thank Assemblyman Walter Mosely for his tireless efforts on this resolution and for his unwavering support of the Jewish state.”
Israeli-born Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) tweeted: “Today and every day, we support Israel!” (in Hebrew) and “Calling out the #BDS movement & standing with Israel in the Assembly.”
“This bipartisan resolution sends a strong message that New York will not tolerate increasing anti-Semitism, anti-Israel, and anti-Zionist campaigns,” Rozic said in a statement.
Thursday morning, June 18, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) spoke passionately and factually while making a case for an anti-BDS Resolution on the floor of the NY State Assembly. The Resolution was sponsored by Hikind’s colleague, Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley and a voice vote was supported nearly unanimously by Assembly members on both sides of the aisle.
“From 1948 until this day, I don’t think a week has gone by without an attempt to attack civilians in the State of Israel,” said Hikind, as he went on to share important historical facts with his colleagues. “Today, no one wants to be called an anti-Semitic, so they’ve found a way around it. Today it’s called anti-Zionism.”
Hikind praised his colleague for this important Resolution against BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the State of Israel), and promised that a Bill for anti-BDS Legislation will follow.
