Opposing Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, peaceful dissent and the protesting of injustice are the right of all Americans guaranteed by the Constitution. It is called freedom of speech. H. Res. 246 renounces the peaceful promotion of human rights, self-determination, and justice on behalf of Palestinian people living under Israeli military occupation. At the same time, this resolution completely ignores the Netanyahu government's brutality, dehumanization, and subjugation of Palestinian people at the root of this peaceful movement.

The State of Israel is a sovereign nation, an ally of the United States, and a military power that occupies Palestinian lands for the benefit of Jewish settlers. H. Res. 246 originally claimed that the use of voluntary boycotts, divestment, and sanctions ``undermines the possibility of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.'' I am pleased that this language has been removed.

I am also very pleased that resolving clause 3 was added to affirm the Constitutional right of U.S. citizens to free speech, including ``the right to protest or criticize the policies of the United States or a foreign government.''

Israel cannot be delegitimized by any outside movement, it is a nation-state that is selfgoverned and makes its own laws, its own policies. Sadly, and I say sadly because I want peace and security for the Israeli people, it is the actions of the Netanyahu government that delegitimizes Israel's standing in the world community.

Today's Washington Post ran a headline: ``Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes provokes outcry.'' Is this the action of a nation seeking peaceful negotiations? Is the annexation of Palestinian lands or the military detention and torture of Palestinian children an effort to seek a negotiated peace agreement?

Under Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel is engaged in a systemic, violent, and repressive strategy to annex Palestinian lands and permanently displace the Palestinian population, not seek a negotiated peace or a two-state solution. Shamefully, the President of the United States and the U.S. ambassador to Israel are enabling this effort in a reversal of decades of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy.

Actions by Congress, like passing H. Res. 246, which ignore reality and effectively supports military occupation, violations of international humanitarian law, and the subjugation of the Palestinian population, does not strengthen Israel, but it does damage the standing of the U.S. House in the eyes of the world.

It is time for Congress to exercise real American leadership that is based on our values and the belief that Israel deserves peace and security, and at the same time the Palestinian people deserve justice, equality, and an end to Israeli repression and occupation. H. Res. 246 offers nothing but the perpetuation of the status quo, repression, and conflict.

I am voting to oppose H. Res. 246.

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