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1. Yesterday's action in the House sends some important and valuable messages regarding US policy on Israel, the Palestinians, and the Middle East. First, H Res 246, which expresses strong opposition to BDS, passed 398-17. That's good news.
2. An overwhelming, bipartisan statement against BDS. The BDS movement, in it essence, delegitimizes Israel's existence, not policies. It is ahistorical, treating Israel as the sole actor responsible for the conflict, absolving Palestinians of their role.
3. Opposing BDS doesn't mean one can't criticize Israeli policies, on settlements, demolitions, or other things. That's all fair game. But it does reject the sweeping, one-sided approach of BDSers, which offers nothing that will help solve the conflict.
4. There is no infringement on constitutional rights (even to conduct misguided boycotts). Americans can advocate BDS if they want. But they should know their approach is overwhelmingly rejected by both parties. No need to legislate further in ways that divide.
5. The resolution also strongly advocates for a two-state solution. That's important at a time when many (including the Trump Admin, some Rs, Israelis, and Pals) seem to be trending away from it. Reinforcing bipartisan support (398 votes) for 2SS is critical to keeping it alive.
6. Some focus on three high-profile Dems (AOC, Omar, Tlaib) among the 16 Dem no votes. All I can say is, at least on this issue, rumors of their influence over Dem party policies have been vastly overstated. They are entitled to their views, but let's keep some proportion.
7. Also passed yesterday was HR 1837 which codifies the $38 billion MOU for mil assistance to Israel signed by the Obama Admin. As a lead negotiator of that deal, I'm proud it also has wide bipartisan support, reflecting US interests in Israel's ability to defend itself.
8. It also provides a critical legislative fix to a law blocks badly needed US assistance to the Pal security forces, who cooperate with Israel to prevent terror. The Senate should pass it immediately and POTUS should sign it. @dstroul and I wrote on this: npr.org/2019/01/31/689…
9. Another bill that passed advances sanctions against associates of Hamas, a terrorist organization on Israel's border that remains committed to its destruction and attacks civilians with rockets and tunnels, while disregarding and endangering the Palestinians they rule.
10. I'm impressed with how well House leaders handled this package. Hats off to @SpeakerPelosi, @RepEliotEngel, @RepTedDeutch, @RepSchneider et al. And House R leaders (@RepMcCaul, @GOPLeader, @RepJoeWilson) deserve credit for handling it in a bipartisan way, a rarity these days.
11. The bills that passed should tell us that rumors of Democratic support of Israel being in free-fall are way off base. There are other voices, and we should listen and engage them. But these bills reflect the views of the vast majority of Dem office holders and candidates.
12. That includes supporting Israel's security & legitimacy, a strong US-Israel relationship, US mil assistance, & active US efforts to preserve 2SS to end the conflict, keep Israel Jewish & democ, and meet legit Palestinian aspirations for statehood. And opposing BDS. /End.
