Lauder 'disturbed' by Senator's backtrack on anti-BDS bill, urges her to resume co-sponsorship

NEW YORK – World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has said that he is ‘disturbed by US Senator Kirstin Gillibrand’s backtrack on the Israel Anti-Boycott act, and urged her to resume her co-sponsorship.

“I was deeply disturbed to learn that earlier this week, US Senator Kirstin Gillibrand withdrew her support for the Israel Anti-Boycott Act -- legislation that is aimed at combating the BDS movement which is spreading virulently in the United States and throughout the world.  I would urge Senator Gillibrand to instead add her name back as a co-sponsor for this legislation and reaffirm her commitment to opposing the international campaign to de-legitimize our democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel.

“Supporters of the BDS movement shield themselves by claiming that their movement is anti-Zionist, not anti-Semitic, but let me be crystal clear, anti-Zionism is no different than anti-Semitism. When you hold the only Jewish state to a different standard than every other nation, when you lie about its past and its present, that is old fashioned, unadulterated anti-Semitism.

“Israel has no greater friend in the world than the United States, and I call upon Senator Gillibrand, and all of her colleagues in Congress, to back the Israel Anti-Boycott Act in a demonstration of unwavering US support for combating anti-Semitism across the world.”