Opposing Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel

Floor Speech

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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.

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