The resolution, which passed in a voice vote, stated that the assembly rejects the BDS movement and all activities in New York.
By LAHAV HARKOVUpdated: JUNE 19, 2015 01:00WOMEN HOLD pins that advocate a boycott against Israel(photo credit: REUTERS)
The New York State Assembly on Thursday took up a resolution rejecting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and reaffirming its support for Israel.The resolution, which passed in a voice vote, stated that the assembly 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,” it says.The resolution states that the assembly opposes all attempts to isolate and delegitimize Israel, including, but not limited to, promoting economic, cultural and academic boycotts.It expresses concern about anti-Israel activities on college campuses, in the cultural sector and other areas, and points out that calls for academic boycotts against Israel have been condemned by more than 250 university presidents as violating academic freedom.“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 led by Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley (D-Brooklyn) and co-sponsored by 74 other members of the assembly, from both sides of the aisle, recognizes Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and points out that Israel and the US are allies “sharing a common bond rooted in the values of freedom, democracy and equal rights,” and that New York and Israel have a history of friendship and economic, cultural, intellectual and political cooperation and exchange.Nily Rozic, assemblywoman from Queens’ 25th district, tweeted in Hebrew: “Today and every day, we support Israel!” “At the core of the BDS movement is a quest to delegitimize Israel as a sovereign, democratic and Jewish state. This bipartisan resolution sends a strong message that New York will not tolerate increasing anti-Semitism, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist campaigns,” Rozic told The Jerusalem Post.