On the recordJuly 23, 2019
I strongly support the State of Israel. It is a homeland for the Jewish people and a sanctuary from anti-Semitism. Israel is a thriving democracy, and its citizens have made enormous contributions to our global society. The U.S. has no better friend than Israel. And, yes, on occasion, our two governments will disagree on certain policies, as all sovereign nations do, but our strong alliance is rooted in shared values, shared security interest, and a deep historical connection. I also believe the Palestinian people have legitimate aspirations, deserve a better future, and should have their own state. I support direct negotiations between the parties leading to two states living together in peace and security. I support this bipartisan resolution because the BDS movement makes a just peace harder, not easier. It unfairly vilifies Israel, blaming it, and it alone, for this complex conflict. American citizens have the right to boycott, and boycotts often promote positive change, but the BDS movement is misguided and harmful, and Congress should say so unequivocally.
