Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on January 20, 2022

A Nebraska lawmaker wants the state to take a stand against any business or organization that boycotts Israel.State Sen. Julie Slama calls LB 845 an act of anti-discrimination. Others say it violates your rights to protest a foreign government they claim violates human rights. Under the measure, any contractor that does business with the state of $100,000 or more would have to sign a clause it will not discriminate against Israel."Companies who may seek to do business with the state of Nebraska would be on notice that we and at least 33 other states in our great nation will not help fill your coffers. If you attack and seek to delegitimize our friend, the State of Israel," Slama said.Boris Zilberman of Christians United for Israel Action told the Legislature's Government and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Wednesday the bill is needed to counter a global campaign called Boycott, Divestment Sanctions (BDS which has targeted Israel."The proposed bill ensures taxpayer dollars are not subsidizing the anti-Semitic effort to destroy Israel through boycotts," Zilberman said.Zilberman said anti-Zionism and antisemitism is "alive and well." However, members of Nebraskans for Peace said this is about the right to boycott not about discrimination."Boycotting is not a method of discrimination against people. It is a non-violent tool used to end evil policies directed toward people," said Sandra Hanna of Nebraskans for Peace.She said the bill will violate First Amendment rights."Criticizing Israeli polices is not discrimination," Hanna said.Douglas Paterson of Nebraskans for Peace said Nebraska also has a history of calling for change by divesting in a foreign government."Nebraska was the first state to boycott South Africa for its policies in 1977 for its policies of apartheid," Paterson said.Slama said individuals and businesses have the right to boycott but not on the state's dime."Yes, you're free to make those economic decisions as you see fit, but the Nebraska Legislature and the Nebraska State Government is also free to peacefully disagree with you and choose not to do business with you," Slama said.Slama said Israel accounted for $50 million in Nebraska exports in 2020 and more than a billion dollars since 1996.The bill is stalled in committee not getting five votes necessary to advance. One committee member was absent.

A Nebraska lawmaker wants the state to take a stand against any business or organization that boycotts Israel.

State Sen. Julie Slama calls LB 845 an act of anti-discrimination.

Others say it violates your rights to protest a foreign government they claim violates human rights.

Under the measure, any contractor that does business with the state of $100,000 or more would have to sign a clause it will not discriminate against Israel.

"Companies who may seek to do business with the state of Nebraska would be on notice that we and at least 33 other states in our great nation will not help fill your coffers. If you attack and seek to delegitimize our friend, the State of Israel," Slama said.

Boris Zilberman of Christians United for Israel Action told the Legislature's Government and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Wednesday the bill is needed to counter a global campaign called Boycott, Divestment Sanctions (BDS which has targeted Israel.

"The proposed bill ensures taxpayer dollars are not subsidizing the anti-Semitic effort to destroy Israel through boycotts," Zilberman said.

Zilberman said anti-Zionism and antisemitism is "alive and well."

However, members of Nebraskans for Peace said this is about the right to boycott not about discrimination.

"Boycotting is not a method of discrimination against people. It is a non-violent tool used to end evil policies directed toward people," said Sandra Hanna of Nebraskans for Peace.

She said the bill will violate First Amendment rights.

"Criticizing Israeli polices is not discrimination," Hanna said.

Douglas Paterson of Nebraskans for Peace said Nebraska also has a history of calling for change by divesting in a foreign government.

"Nebraska was the first state to boycott South Africa for its policies in 1977 for its policies of apartheid," Paterson said.

Slama said individuals and businesses have the right to boycott but not on the state's dime.

"Yes, you're free to make those economic decisions as you see fit, but the Nebraska Legislature and the Nebraska State Government is also free to peacefully disagree with you and choose not to do business with you," Slama said.

Slama said Israel accounted for $50 million in Nebraska exports in 2020 and more than a billion dollars since 1996.

The bill is stalled in committee not getting five votes necessary to advance. One committee member was absent.

More here:

Bill takes stand against businesses that boycott Israel - KETV Omaha

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