New York City Council Votes 40-4 for Anti-BDS Resolution
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
— The New York City Council approved a nonbinding resolution to condemn the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.
The resolution, which passed Wednesday in a 40-4 vote with six abstentions, condemns “all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the global movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction the people of Israel.”
At a hearing last week on the resolution, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were ejected from City Hall.
Council members who voted against the resolution or abstained cited First Amendment rights, the Jewish Insider reported.
Some council members who voted for the resolution also expressed opposition to Israel’s settlement activity.
In June, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order against BDS hours before the start of New York City’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade. The order requires state agencies to divest themselves of companies and organizations aligned with the BDS movement.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
