Rand Paul: “I rise with serious concerns over this legislation. Let me first state that I am personally not in favor of the…”

“I rise with serious concerns over this legislation. Let me first state that I am personally not in favor of the University and College Union of the United Kingdom boycott against Israeli academia. I oppose all such refusals to engage and interact even where strong disagreement exists. I believe such blockades, be they against countries or academic groups, to be counterproductive. I strongly encourage academic and cultural exchanges, as they are the best way to foster international understanding and prevent wars. My concerns are about this particular piece of legislation, however. I simply do not understand why it is the business of the United States Congress--particularly considering the many problems we have at home and with U.S. policy abroad--to bring the weight of the U.S. government down on an academic disagreement half a world away. Do we really believe that the U.S. Government should be sticking its nose into a dispute between British and Israeli academics? Is there no dispute in no remote corner of the globe in which we don't feel the need to become involved?”