[Peace] Unresponsive response from Duckworth on anti-anti-BDS

[Robert Naiman]

I feel personally insulted by this. Even if we concede that they've made up
their minds to be cowards, as usual, they could at least have the decency
to include the phrase "First Amendment" somewhere in their letter, to
acknowledge that somewhere there is a group of people who have a problem
with this.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Senator Tammy Duckworth <correspondence at duckworth.senate.gov>
Date: Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Responding to your message
To: <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>





Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for contacting me to share your views on the Boycott, Divestment
and Sanctions (BDS) movement. I appreciate you taking the time to make me
aware of your concerns on this important matter.

As you know, the BDS movement is a global campaign designed to exert
pressure on Israel’s economy. As your Senator, I am committed to advancing
policies that promote a safe and secure Middle East and defend the
sovereignty of America’s ally, Israel. Our Nation should remain committed
to helping the Israeli and Palestinian people negotiate a permanent
two-state solution to end decades of conflict. Ultimately, the Israeli and
Palestinian people share a responsibility to achieve peace, and the region
needs a strong and secure Israel to live peacefully alongside a free and
independent Palestine.

Various proposals have been introduced this Congress addressing the BDS
movement. The Combating BDS Act of 2017 was introduced by Senator Marco
Rubio of Florida on January 17, 2017. This bill would strengthen
protections for State and local governments who choose not to invest in, or
do business with, companies and organizations that participate in BDS
actions. The Israel Anti-Boycott Act was introduced by Senator Ben Cardin
of Maryland on March 23, 2017 and would prohibit boycotts imposed by
international governmental organizations against Israel. While I am not
currently a sponsor of either of these bills, I remain firmly opposed to
the BDS movement and believe that we must remain staunch supporters of
Israel. Rest assured, I will keep your thoughts in mind if these bills come
to the Senate floor for a vote.

Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue. If you would
like more information on my work in the Senate, please visit my website at
www.duckworth.senate.gov. You can access my voting record and see what I am
doing to address today’s most important issues. I hope that you will
continue to share your views and opinions with me and let me know whenever
I may be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,
<https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenDuckworth&crop=15882QQQ21997262QQQ7180609QQQ7883965&report_id=Signature&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fduckworth.senate.gov&redir_log=800154790113193>
Tammy Duckworth
United States Senator
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