Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following floor statement in support of H.Res. 246, a resolution opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 246.

"This Resolution, modeled on legislation passed by the New York City Council, is fully consistent with the First Amendment and affirms the rights of those who support the Global BDS movement to voice their opinions.  But, importantly, it also puts Congress on record rejecting this misguided and deceptive movement that is neither progressive in its conduct, nor pro-peace in its ultimate mission.

"BDS proponents advocate for a complete boycott of Israeli businesses, individuals, and institutions—including academic institutions, which are supposed to be bastions of intellectual freedom—hypocritically seeking to deny all Israeli citizens the same rights and freedoms that BDS supporters claim that they themselves are denied.

"Not only does the movement, at times, invoke anti-Semitic tropes and seemingly promote violence, it unfairly blames one party in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and does nothing to promote direct negotiations to achieve a two-state solution, which is the only path to a fair peace.

"In fact, the founder of the movement, when asked whether BDS would end when Palestinians are able to establish their own state, flatly says "no."  That tells you everything you need to know.

"Instead of promoting peace and a two-state solution, the mission of BDS is clear: to delegitimize Israel, regardless of its policies or conduct, and to deny the Jewish people—and only the Jewish people—the right of national self-determination.

"I urge my colleagues to support this Resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time."