Congress Must Affirm the Right to Boycott for Palestinian Rights

In a time of right-wing attacks on human rights and marginalized populations, we call on members of Congress to protect the right to boycott, and to cease demonizing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement for Palestinian rights. 

We specifically call on the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus to honor the legacies they claim to represent - by vocally opposing anti-BDS legislation.

The CBC championed boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa at a time when the Reagan administration opposed these measures and promoted “constructive engagement.” Thirty years later, the CBC is being asked by the Trump administration to oppose these same measures against the apartheid regime in Israel. The CBC should not fall on the same side as Reagan and Trump.

There is nothing progressive about targeting a human rights movement for condemnation or governmental retaliation for exercising our constitutionally protected right to boycott - one of the most celebrated nonviolent tactics of protest. Black people from Montgomery to Johannesburg have all relied on boycotts to exert pressure on racist and unjust power structures. Palestinians absolutely have the right to do the same.

We are heartened to see the resolution affirming the right to boycott introduced this week by Reps. Ilhan Omar, John Lewis, and Rashida Tlaib. We need more politicians to support this measure. ​

So as progressive people and Black people, we make four specific calls to our representatives:

1) Co-sponsor and endorse H.Res 496 "Affirming that all Americans have the right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution." (H.Res. 496)

2) Vote against both pieces of anti-boycott legislation: H. Res. 246 (Opposing the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel) and H.R. 336 (Combating BDS Act of 2019)

3) Support the “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act​” (H.R. 2407) sponsored by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)

​4) Join the Congressional delegation to the West Bank for the purposes of seeing firsthand the conditions of Israel’s military occupation

Ultimately, we call on Congress to debate and enact policy that ends military aid to Israel and sanctions Israel until it complies with its human rights obligations under international law.

The issue of Palestinian rights, Israel’s occupation, human rights and other international law violations will not go away. Voting to condemn, censor, or punish this legitimate movement will not eliminate these issues. Congress can punt the ball to delay conversation for a while, but the ball will eventually return to your side of the field. 
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We are part of a growing movement that will ensure that debate and action on these topics reaches Congress one way or another. The only way to permanently remove this topic from Congress is to ensure full respect for human rights and international law.

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Take Action:
Encourage your representatives to cosponsor the pro-boycott resolution here. 

H.Res. 246 against the BDS movement just passed committee today. Write Nancy Pelosi here and tell her not to bring the bill to the House floor. Call the Speaker's office here: (202) 225-0100

Contact the CBC and CPC below:

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
[email protected]

CBC Chair: Rep. Karen Bass
(202) 225-7084

CBC Vice Chairs
Rep. Joyce Beatty: (202) 225-4324
Rep. Brenda Lawrence: (202) 225-5802

CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS

​Executive Director: 
[email protected]

Co-Chairs
Rep. Mark Pocan: (202) 225-2906
Rep. Pramila Jayapal: (202) 225-3106