45 senators support bill that makes boycotting Israel a crime

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Independent

The American Civil Liberties Union calls the bill a 'direct violation of the First Amendment'
Emily Shugerman New York
6 hours ago


A bill that would criminalise boycotts against Israel has been signed by 45 US senators and 237 congressman.

The so-called “Israel Anti-Boycott Act” would impose fines of up to $250,000 (£192,000) on any US citizen “engaged in interstate or foreign commerce” who supports a boycott of Israeli goods and services.

The US has long defended Israel in territorial disputes in the Middle East, even as the Israeli military has expanded into areas assigned to the Palestinians by international law.

This position runs counter to that of the United Nations, which claims Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestinian territory have “no legal validity”, and “constitute flagrant violation of international law”.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/israel-boycott-crime-bill-settlements-senators-support-law-a7852101.html

[Orrex]

1. I'm sure we'll see a similar law criminalizing anti-Palestine boycotts.

Any minute now...

[busterbrown]

2. What Bullshit..

I’d like to know what Dems signed up for this!...A real betrayol of compasion and empathy for all those who voted for this.

[EarthFirst]

10. Schumer & Gillibrand are co-sponsors...

I immediately let them know my opinion on the matter.

[busterbrown]

11. Scared of the N.Y. Jewish vote.

Fucked up! Grow some balls you idiots! Especially Schummer.my Jewish friend..

[PoliticAverse]

3. It's already illegal for companies in the US to boycott Israeli products,...

as noted in the ACLU statement, this bill would extend that to individuals.
ACLU statement...
https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/first-amendment-protects-right-boycott-israel

[procon]

4. How about a law that allows people to decide for themselves?

You know, FREEDOM, and such stuff.

[hay rick]

7. FREEDOM and shit.

Welcome to America.

[sakabatou]

5. WTF?!

[Wolf Frankula]

6. Coming Soon Legislation to REQUIRE Americans to Buy Israeli Products

Then legislation REQUIRING all Americans to contribute 10 percent of their gross income to Israel.

Welcome to Israel's docile colony.

Wolf

[rickford66]

8. How does this square with GOPs religious freedom laws ?

[atreides1]

17. GOP Religious freedom...

...only applies to conservative Evangelical bigots, who need Israel for the Second Coming to occur!

[msongs]

9. dems include Gillibrand, Cardin, Cantwell, adam schiff nt

[atreides1]

18. Double standard Democrats?

Willing to piss on the 1st Amendment when it suits their agenda...much like their Republican colleagues!!

I guess the two parties are the same, when it comes to certain issues!!!

[Starry Messenger]

12. How would they even know you were boycotting?

It's kind of hard to have a record of what you didn't buy.

[still_one]

13. If this actually becomes law it wil go to the SC. It is a free speech issue. There are some

interesting issues though.

The government has a history of make it illegal for U.S. companies to do business with certain countries. With this legislation they are telling companies that they cannot boycott certain countries. How would they distinguish between a company boycotting a certain country, and not doing business with a certain country?

[Bob Loblaw]

14. I hereby declare

my support for boycotting Israeli goods and services. Come and get me.

[Doc Coco]

19. Turn off your computer

Your smartphone. Both Israeli products.

https://m.csmonitor.com/World/2014/0130/10-brands-you-ll-have-to-give-up-if-you-re-boycotting-Israel/Pampers

[dembotoz]

15. But but but how do u buy American then?

Which way is it?

[vi5]

16. Co-Sponsored by our minority leader and future stars of the party

Schumer and Gillibrand.

But hey, as long as they are above that arbitrary....what is it "75%" of the time we're supposed to shut up and applaud everything they do.