News

Clinton denounces movement to boycott Israel

by Jesse Byrnes - 05/10/16 8:55 AM ET

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is denouncing the movement to boycott Israel over its policies toward the West Bank.

“Particularly at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise across the world, we need to repudiate forceful efforts to malign and undermine Israel and the Jewish people,” Clinton wrote in a letter to Jewish leaders, The New York Times reported.

{mosads}”Anti-Semitism has no place in any civilized society — not in America, not in Europe, not anywhere. We must never tire in defending Israel’s legitimacy, expanding security and economic ties, and taking our alliance to the next level,” Clinton added.

The letter, released Sunday, was a response to David Sherman, chair of the Israel Action Network, and Susan Stern, vice chair of the Jewish Federations of North America.

The pair had expressed concern to Clinton that the boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement would be discussed at a large United Methodist convention beginning Tuesday in Portland, Ore.

Clinton, a Methodist, wrote: “I believe that BDS seeks to punish Israel and dictate how the Israelis and Palestinians should resolve the core issues of their conflict. This is not the path to peace.”

Tags BDS Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Boycotts of Israel Hillary Clinton Human rights in Israel Israel Israel–United States relations