LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION rejecting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
(BDS) movement

WHEREAS, The State of Israel and the United States are allies sharing a
common bond rooted in the values of freedom, democracy, and equal
rights; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York and Israel have a long history of
friendship based on economic, cultural, intellectual and political coop-
eration and exchange; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers recognize and support Israel's right to exist as
a Jewish State; and
WHEREAS, The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS Move-
ment) is a global campaign that calls for boycott, divestment and sanc-
tions against Israel; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is concerned by anti-Israel activities
in the state of New York and other communities nationwide within certain
university campuses, academic and professionals associations, and the
cultural sector; and
WHEREAS, Calls for academic boycotts against Israeli academic insti-
tutions have been condemned by many of our nation's largest academic
associations, over 250 university presidents, and leading scholars as a
violation of the bedrock principle of academic freedom; and
WHEREAS, The BDS movement's policies and tactics negate and undermine
the vibrant debate regarding the Israel-Palestinian relationship, which
is based on a recognition of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State;
and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers defend the inalienable right to free speech
recognize that punitive economic measures targeting Israel undermine
dialogue, economic cooperation and political reconciliation between
Israelis and Palestinians, which is the necessary foundation for a last-
ing peace in the Middle East; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers affirm that both Israelis and Palestinians have
the right to live in their own safe and secure states, free from fear
and violence, with mutual recognition, trade, and normalization; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
reject the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and
its activities in New York for seeking to undermine efforts to achieve a
negotiated two-state solution and the right of Israelis and Palestinians
to self-determination; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to reject any
activities that contribute directly or indirectly to the delegitimiza-
tion of the sovereignty of Israel as a Jewish State including, but not
limited to, promotion of economic, cultural, and academic boycotts
against Israel; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body is concerned that the interna-
tional Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and its agenda are
damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human
rights for all peoples in the Middle East; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body reaffirms their support for the
State of Israel as a Jewish State, oppose all attempts to economically
and politically isolate Israel within the international arena, and
oppose efforts to assault the legitimacy of Israel as the sovereign
homeland of the Jewish people.