A bill that would criminalise boycotts against Israel has been signed by
45 US senators and 237 congressman.
The so-called “Israel Anti-Boycott Act” would impose fines of up to
$250,000 (£192,000) on any US citizen “engaged in interstate or foreign
commerce” who supports a boycott of Israeli goods and services.
The US has long defended Israel in territorial disputes in the Middle
East, even as the Israeli military has expanded into areas assigned to the
Palestinians by international law.
This position runs counter to that of the United Nations, which claims
Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestinian territory have “no legal
validity”, and “constitute flagrant violation of international law”.
In their new legislation, members of Congress claim the UN is
considering a resolution to withhold assistance from – and prevent trade with –
settlements in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.
The Israel Anti-Boycott act would punish any American who supported such
measures.
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has argued that the
bill would “impose civil and criminal punishment on individuals solely because
of their political beliefs about Israel
and its policies”, in a letter sent to members of the Senate.
“In short, the bill would
punish businesses and individuals solely based on their point of view,” it
wrote. “Such a penalty is in direct violation of the First Amendment.”
