Israel's safety belt: the US Christian Right pushes new anti-BDS initiative

[Jefferson23]

Ben White
Thursday, 07 May 2015

On April 21, Tennessee's General Assembly formally condemned the Palestinian-led Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) campaign, the first US state legislature to do so. Joint Resolution 170 was approved 93-1 by the House of Representatives, following a 30-0 vote in the state Senate.

The resolution calls BDS "one of the main vehicles for spreading anti-Semitism", describing it as "inherently antithetical and deeply damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy and human rights for all the peoples in the Middle East."

The vote, which carries no legal weight, was celebrated by pro-Israel campaigners such as StandWithUs co-founder Roz Rothstein, who tweeted "oh happy day."

snip* The organisation behind the bill, however, has a track record of bigotry and Islamophobia. According to official documents, PJTN exists to help "individuals and groups build strong relationships within the Christian and Jewish communities and with the State of Israel." What this translates into is Christian Right, Tea Party-style activism.


in full: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/blogs/politics/18483-israels-safety-belt-the-us-christian-right-pushes-new-anti-bds-initiative

[GoneFishin]

1. They are wrong about everything else, so why should this be any different?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. I can't see any true-blooded democrat supporting

such a bunch of bigoted haters, and anybody that told me they support such scoundrels would have dubious credentials IMHO.

[oberliner]

3. Ben White: The white British guy who knows everything about Israel and the US.

He of this lovely and mature tweet:

https://twitter.com/benabyad/status/206461201662742529

Here's the first comment on his piece:

The Indiana resolution was indeed initiated by the Jewish American Affairs Committee of Indiana. Our organization is a Jewish organization working with Republicans and Democrats, regardless of religious affiliation or belief in support of Israel. The fact that the resolution passed in the House and Senate with no opposition should indicate this is not part of a right wing Christian movement. We are, of course, happy to have the support of Christians and anyone committed to justice in the Middle East.

Elliot Bartky
President
JAACI

[King_David]

4. Very mature tweet

[geek tragedy]

5. JAACI are extreme rightwingers and bigots. Ted Cruz types.

In October 2010, members of a small Orthodox congregation, B’nai Torah, founded the Jewish American Affairs Committee of Indiana, and resigned its longstanding membership in the local JCRC.

Uncomfortable with the JCRC’s more liberal stance on gay rights, abortion rights and school vouchers — as well as its efforts to advocate for Israel — the fledgling JAACI has gone out on its own in representing a Jewish voice to the wider community.

http://jaaci.org/israel-gap/

So, no, not surprising that they're leading pro-apartheid legislative measures.

Why does it pass in Indiana without a debate?

Because Indiana's a rightwing state, and even the moderates there do not give a wet shit about Palestinian human rights and their suffering.

[oberliner]

6. Yeah they do seem pretty right wing

Fair points.