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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OPPOSING GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS
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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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