In rebuke to Israel, State Dep’t says it has no objection to BDS aimed at occupation
http://mondoweiss.net/2015/07/rebuke-objection-occupation
In yet another sign that the American government is reassessing the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and that BDS is gaining traction, the State Department yesterday said that it did not oppose BDS, boycott, divestment and sanctions actions, aimed at the occupied Palestinian territories, because Israeli settlements “make it harder to negotiate a sustainable and equitable peace deal in good faith.”
The statement was a special clarification of White House policy on the new fast-track trade bill, which contained a provision that Congress had included at the urging of Israel lobby groups: to punish European companies and governments that support BDS of Israel– including Israeli activities in the occupied territories. The legislation purposely sought to protect settlements; and yesterday the Obama administration said it isn’t buying.
Liberal Zionists are enthused by the White House statement. J Street:
Attempt to block EU steps against Israeli settlements backfires as USG issues statement starkly refusing to legitimize settlement activity
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