Prominent Senator Diane Feinstein voiced concern Tuesday over legislation that seeks to counter the global Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, Anadolu reports.
The Combating BDS Act, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio, urges state and local governments to deny contracts to individuals and companies that boycott Israel.
The act is part of a wider Middle East policy bill, the first to be introduced by Senate Republicans in the new Congress which began on January 3.
#DianneFeinstein just said altho she does not support the anti- #BDS bill, she is, however, a strong supporter of Israel..really? Tell Californians why/how you could possibly support any society that is threatened by even the smallest of babies? @SenFeinstein https://t.co/ymDbhyD0de
— osiris322 (@osiris322) January 8, 2019
It also comes amid a partial government shutdown over funding for US President Donald Trump’s border wall which is now in its 18th day.
The bill was scheduled to go before the Senate on Tuesday and will proceed to the House if it passes.
Feinstein said on her Twitter account:
“I fail to see why this legislation is a priority during the government shutdown. The Senate has a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and keep the government running—this bill does neither … This Israel anti-boycott legislation would give states a free pass to restrict First Amendment protections for millions of Americans. Despite my strong support for Israel, I oppose this bill because it clearly violates the Constitution.”
#Prominent #US Senator Diane Feinstein voiced concern #Tuesday over legislation that seeks to counter the global Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against .#MNA #MNA_English #Anglophones pic.twitter.com/dOE362E5JV
— M N A (@mnaEN) January 9, 2019
The anti-BDS legislation has been fiercely criticized by civil rights organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union as well as by progressives and liberals across the country.
US Senator Bernie Sanders also tweeted that it was “absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity”.
Rashida Tlaib blasts anti-BDS bill supporters: 'They forgot what country they represent': Palestinian-American Congresswoman Tlaib faces backlash over statement backing comments by Bernie Sanders that it is 'absurd' the BDS bill is first to be… https://t.co/dvxG6VXT3W Haaretz pic.twitter.com/wZwnyn6HCv
— Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) January 7, 2019
Rashida Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress, said in a tweet:
“They forgot what country they represent. This is the US where boycotting is a right & part of our historical fight for freedom & equality. Maybe a refresher on our US Constitution is in order, then get back to opening up our government instead of taking our rights away.”
More than 25 states have passed measures that confront BDS loyalists. However, those laws have already been challenged in the courts, even in the most Republican-friendly states like Kansas and Arizona.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
