Texas legislators learn from Knesset members how to combat BDS
Lone Star State would be 16th to ban the pro-Palestinian movement
By GIL HOFFMANUpdated: DECEMBER 15, 2016 10:29Anti-Israel demonstrators march behind a banner of the BDS organization in Marseille, June 13.(photo credit: GEORGES ROBERT / AFP)
A group of state legislators from Texas came to the Knesset Wednesday to learn from MKs and other officials about the dangers of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.The legislators have proposed legislation that would make it illegal for the state to do business with entities that back the BDS movement. If it passes, Texas would follow a resolution that passed in Ohio last week to become the 16th US state that has outlawed BDS.“They wanted to see Israel for themselves in order to prepare to make the case for Israel if their legislation is challenged,” said Josh Reinstein, executive director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus.Anti-Israel protest outside Israeli embassy in Washington in 2014The head of the caucus, MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu) told them that the BDS movement’s objective is to eliminate the existence of the State of Israel.“The BDS movement, and others like it, use propaganda to demonize Israel, spreading lies and falsifications – presenting Israel as an apartheid, racist country, when in reality, we are the only beacon of legitimate democracy in the region,” Ilatov said.Likud MK Sharren Haskel said Israel would continue to confront the BDS movement “by continuing to be a resilient, innovative and creative nation and by continuing to develop technologies and resources that the world cannot live without.”Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Michael Oren recounted his success in confronting anti-Israel protesters at the University of California Irvine who tried to prevent him from speaking and were arrested.The legislators also met with Likud MK Yehudah Glick and Zionist Union MK Hilik Bar.Reps. Phil King and Craig Goldman and Sens. Kelly Hancock and Larry Taylor visited Israel to attend the delivery ceremony of the F-35s that is made by Fort Worth Texas-based Lockheed Martin.