Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was just joined by 60 of his colleagues in introducing the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 5595), which would combat the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. By amending the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations against Israel, it protects American companies from being coerced to provide information to international organizations for the purpose of furthering boycotts against Israel and holds individuals who attempt to violate this protection accountable. Additionally, it establishes Congress’ opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and establishes that Congress considers the United Nations Human Rights Council’s creation of a database of companies doing business in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights in March 2016 to be an act of BDS.

“We have witnessed the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel hate throughout the world, in our nation, on college campuses and within the halls of Congress under the guise of the BDS movement, and whether this bigotry is brazen or it's blatant anti-Semitism deceptively called ‘legitimate' we must crush it wherever it exists,” said Congressman Lee Zeldin. “Too many in Congress have emboldened this rhetoric by accepting the BDS movement whose founder, in referring to Zionism, said 'I, for one, support euthanasia’, and coming off of a Hanukkah which will be remembered for the sick amount of violent anti-Semitic attacks, we must combat this anti-Israel hate wherever it rears its ugly head. This legislation would not only reinforce Congress’ opposition to the BDS movement, but protects American companies from being forced to provide information to international organizations that peddle this hate-filled movement, and holds those who attempt to violate that protection accountable.”