New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order on Sunday that will penalize people and businesses who support the non-violent boycott of Israel.
In a speech to The Harvard Club, Cuomo said New York would “lead by example.”
“We are also a place of action,” he continued. “We want to take immediate action because we want Israel to know that we’re on their side. If you boycott against Israel, New York will boycott you.”
The executive order will instruct the Office of General Services to compile a list over the next six months of groups, businesses and individuals supporting the “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” (BDS) movement, according to Haaretz.
After completion of the process, executive-branch companies will be required to distance themselves from any organization or person on the list.
“The State of New York will not permit its own investment activity to further the BDS campaign in any way, shape or form, whether directly or indirectly,” the order states.
Legal organizations have previously called attempts to push forward anti-BDS legislation “21st Century McCarthyism,” and warned that it would create a “blacklist” of human rights advocates, mirroring the treatment of those who campaigned against Apartheid in South Africa.
The Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, the New York Civil Liberties Union and Palestinian Legal have continuously called anti-BDS pressure politically motivated and an attack on the freedom of speech.
The New York legislature attempted to push through an anti-boycott motion for months due to pressure from pro-Israel lobby groups, but was unsuccessful.
The latest move by Cuomo has widely been seen as an attempt to sidestep the legal process and implement the policy on his own, Salon reports.
Last month, an anti-boycott bill pending in the New York senate was revoked after more 100 organizations signed a letter to the Albany offices of all New York state assembly and senate members condemning the proposal, which they said would create “unconstitutional blacklists.”
Attorney Rahul Saksena told Salon back in January it was “frightening” that there could be state employees“scouring the internet for pro-BDS Facebook posts, tweets and news articles.”
“It’s 21st Century McCarthyism,” Saksena said at the time. “The government cannot punish individuals and entities because of their speech and political views.”
On Sunday, Cuomo signed the executive order after attending a parade “in solidarity with Israel.”
Right-wing organizations such as “StandWithUs” and Christian Zionist group “Christians United for Israel” and “Proclaiming Justice to the Nations” have continuously called on US politicians to pass anti-BDS legislation.
The latest move comes after California passed an anti-BDS bill in the first of many steps of the state’s legislative process in April.
Canada also passed an anti-boycott motion this year after a bill introduced by members of the Conservative Party gained popularity across the board.
The BDS movement has cost Israel’s economy an estimated $1.4 billion a year, according to the Financial Times.
A study by US think-tank, the Rand Corporation, however, says the number could be more than three times higher at $47 billion over 10 years.
*** The BDS movement has cost Israel’s economy an estimated $1.4 billion a year, according to the Financial Times.
A study by US think-tank, the Rand Corporation, however, says the number could be more than three times higher at $47 billion over 10 years. ***
That’s great news if it’s true. But as far as I can tell, the BDS movement is just getting started.
Of course the Zionist slime will continue to use their hold on governments to their advantage. They need to have the “law” on their side because we, their opponents, have the truth and morality on ours.
What? You thought you have freedom of speech and the right to boycott any industries and nations that are built on the genocide and destruction of others? Silly americans, don’t you know boycotting and sanctions can only be applied to nations or businesses chosen by us your talmudic masters? Stupid goyim.
I say we boycott New York too.
Your article is not up to date as far as the Canadian government initiating a ban on supporting or furthering the Israelis boycott. Yes this law was passed by the Conservatives but the new majority Liberal Party now in power, stated there is no Constitutional provision that allows government to dictate preference or force rejection based on ideology. Or for that matter illegally taking over another people’s country through underhanded and illegal means…So it is still a question of conscience in Canada, one that I exercise each and every day….If I even suspect any commercial entity favoring the despicable actions to be taken against any Palestinian enterprise, I instantly boycott….and inform others.
jawol, mein Kommandant
What do you expect from Jew York?
“The government cannot punish individuals and entities because of their speech and political views.”
Except at gunpoint.
Ha, some good news:
“The BDS movement has cost Israel’s economy an estimated $1.4 billion a year, according to the Financial Times.
A study by US think-tank, the Rand Corporation, however, says the number could be more than three times higher at $47 billion over 10 years.”
Hurting ‘jews’ in the wallet (where they hurt the most) is having an effect.
Keep it up 🙂
-flek
Next up, the little sister of the garbage police will check your grocery bag whether you bought your quota of Israeli products this week. Punishment (like Obamacare non-compliance) will be sold as a tax, which will be used to pay the interest on the money, the government will borrow from Rothchild bankers to give (interest free.) to our little friend in the Middle East (That we just don’t dare to ask what have they done for us lately?) to make up for the imaginary numbers of missed trade. Either way for them a win win.. Indebtedness of Americans, and still get the money for products they will sell elsewhere.
Silly US, thinking that trade is voluntary when people that haven’t relinquished their bonds with a foreign country make the rules…
Yeah, they are hurting so badly while making double the Profit.
The difference with South Africa is that South Africa didn’t rule the US by proxy.