Another bill to oppose in the Senate: Israel Anti-Boycott Act

Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Jewish Democrat representing Maryland, is the main sponsor of this bill introduced in March 2017. It is currently in the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in the Senate.

This bill is to protect Israel and no one else. It's purpose is:

To amend the Export Administration Act of 1979 to include in the prohibitions on boycotts against allies of the United States boycotts fostered by international governmental organizations against Israel and to direct the Export-Import Bank of the United States to oppose boycotts against Israel, and for other purposes.

[My comment: Boycotts against “allies of the US” is already covered, but Jews like Cardin seek special protection for Israel whether it behaves as an ally or not!]

Write to the republicans. The best argument to present to these senators is to oppose singling out Israel for special treatment. Showing favoritism is against Pres. Trump's “America First” promise since Israel has led us down many a dark road already in its short existence. It's attempt to sink the U.S.S. Liberty and murder of its entire crew is one example.

You can say you are opposed to making the USA (with your taxpayer money) the guarantor for the safety and security of Israel because Israel does not reciprocate. Israel is also a human rights violator. Additionally, this bill infringes on the First Amendment and sets a bad precedent. Do not say things that would be considered “antisemitic” or "hateful."

You can track the progress of this bill here: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s720]

One person wrote on Reddit:

[–]NectarCollecting[S] 2 points 10 months ago 

This bill declares that Congress: (1) opposes the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution of March 24, 2016, which urges countries to pressure companies to divest from, or break contracts with, Israel; and (2) encourages full implementation of the United States-Israel -Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 through enhanced, government-wide, coordinated U.S.-Israel scientific and technological cooperation in civilian areas.

The bill amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that it shall be U.S. policy to oppose:

requests by foreign countries to impose restrictive practices or boycotts against other countries friendly to the United States or against U.S. persons; and restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by an international governmental organization, or requests to impose such practices or boycotts, against Israel.

The bill prohibits U.S. persons engaged in interstate or foreign commerce from:

requesting the imposition of any boycott by a foreign country against a country which is friendly to the United States; or

supporting any boycott fostered or imposed by an international organization, or requesting imposition of any such boycott, against Israel.

The bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to include as a reason for the Export-Import Bank to deny credit applications for the export of goods and services between the United States and foreign countries, opposition to policies and actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with citizens or residents of Israel, entities organized under the laws of Israel, or the Government of Israel.

Send an email to any of the 55 (there are only 100 senators!!) co-sponsors of the bill, especially those from your state. Both of my Republican senators are sponsors. Most notably, Ted Cruz is a devout Israel-firster. The fundamentalist Christians always are, which is a dilemna for conservatism.

More importantly, send an email to the Banking Committee members, especally any from your state:

Republicans

Mike Crapo, Id -Chairman

Richard Shelby, AL

Bob Corker, TN

Patrick Toomey, PA

Dean Heller NV

Tim Scott SC

Ben Sasse NE

Tom Cotton, AR

Mike Rounds, SD

David Perdue, GA

Thom Tillis, NC

John Kennedy, LA

Jerry Moran, KS

Democrats

Sherrod Brown, OH

Jack Reed, RI 

Robert Menendez, NJ Jew

Jon Tester, MT

Mark Warner, VA

Elizabeth Warren, MA

Heidi Heitkamp, ND

Joe Donnelly, IN

Brian Schatz, HI

Chris Van Hollen, MD

Catherine Cortez Masto, NV

Doug Jones, AL