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BDS movement poses a serious threat to Israel’s power in US: Analyst

Sunday, 29 October 2017 4:26 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 29 October 2017 5:05 PM ]

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The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel is gaining momentum in the United States and poses a serious threat to Israel’s “hegemonic power” in Washington, an American political activist in Maryland says.

“Israel has a lock on discussions here but we’re seeing it fraying,” said Myles Hoenig, who ran for the US Congress in 2016 as a Green Party candidate.

“That state after state is outlawing BDS only shows that BDS is growing and poses a serious threat to Israel’s hegemonic power in the Middle East and in Washington,” Hoenig told Press TV on Sunday.

Hoenig noted, however, that Israel continues to wield significant influence in the US through Zionist and Jewish lobby groups.

“Israeli control of our domestic and foreign policy is universally accepted by both political parties. Internationally, the US recently dropped out of UNESCO, along with Israel, for their perceived bias against Israel. Our wars are fought for Israeli interests, not that of the US, and now our constitutionally protected rights are only permitted at the say-so of Israel,” he said.

“In the US, a politician who expresses either support for Palestine or condemns Israel is serving his or her last term. Any journalist who dares to even question what is happening in occupied Palestine is quickly removed from his post,” he added.

The BDS movement was initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian organizations to initiate “various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law.”

PressTV-Wisconsin targets firms boycotting Israel

Governor Scott Walker signs an executive order prohibiting state agencies from engaging in business engaging in a boycott of Israel.

Wisconsin has become the latest US state to join the crackdown against the Palestinian-led campaign boycotting Israel. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed an executive order on Friday prohibiting state agencies from engaging in business with entities that support the BDS movement.

Some 24 states have passed similar measures so far. Rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have condemned these measures as unconstitutional and repressive.

Hoenig said Most Americans are unaware of international campaigns to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

“Only those active in it in the US are even aware that there is an international effort to promote Palestinian self-determination,” he said. “Here in the US, we don’t have a clue what’s going on, and only know the one narrative.”

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