BDS is antithetical to peace in the Middle East

Much of Martha Schoolman’s Oct. 26 opinion piece, “Jewish Dissent is a Big Part of BDS,” misses the mark in significant and important ways. We do, however, agree with her on one essential and crucial point. The overwhelming majority of the mainstream Jewish community, here in South Florida and across the nation, does, in fact, vigorously oppose the so-called Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The reason is simple. Contrary to how it is portrayed, BDS isn’t based in justice or equality. The movement calls for delegitimizing and demonizing the world’s only Jewish state and unequivocally opposing Zionism. Branding Israel as immoral and illegitimate is nothing short of prima facie antisemitism and does nothing to promote reconciliation in a region filled with historical strife. Further, labeling Israel an apartheid state, as Schoolman does, is patently absurd. One need only look at Israel’s recently installed new government coalition that includes 12 Arab members comprising 10% of Israel’s parliament led by Ra’am, which represents the Islamic movement in Israel.

Jewish teachings embrace legitimate protest and responsible dissent as means to important societal change. Many extraordinary gains of the 20th century, including advancing the civil rights movement, ending apartheid in South Africa, advocating for Soviet Jewry, even the establishment of the state of Israel, are inextricably tied to these traditions.

BDS is antithetical to anything resembling fairness or righteousness. A two-state solution, considered by many to be the touchstone to a permanent, long-lasting peace, was summarily dismissed by Omar Barghouti, a BDS co-founder, when he said, “Good riddance! The two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is finally dead. But someone has to issue an official death certificate before the rotting corpse is given a proper burial and we can all move on and explore the more just, moral and therefore enduring alternative for peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Mandate Palestine: the one-state solution.” We sadly conclude that the goal of BDS is not an economic one, its ultimate goal is to ensure that Israel ceases to exist and to deny the Jewish people a state and a homeland.

Can BDS supporters like Jewish Voices for Peace be counted on to champion the safety of children and families in the Middle East, both Israeli and Palestinian? The answer, sadly, is unequivocally no. Recently, in communities across America, Jewish Voices for Peace urged members of Congress to vote against continued funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system, which saves countless lives threatened by terror. Over the summer, from outposts in Gaza, Hamas launched more than 4,000 rockets for the express purpose of killing innocent Israeli civilians of all backgrounds and beliefs. The lack of indignation from Jewish Voices for Peace and other BDS proponents is emblematic of their one-sided approach to the conflict. Fortunately, Congress voted 420-9 to support Iron Dome. The majority included members from both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and House Freedom Caucus. This underscores how, despite an increasingly divisive political climate, support for Israel remains wholly nonpartisan, as it should be.

On Tuesday, voters in Florida’s 20th Congressional district will select the Democratic nominee to succeed the late Alcee Hastings, one of the strongest pro-Israel voices the United States House of Representatives has ever seen. With the lone exception of state Rep. Omari Hardy — his approach to the Middle East is anathema to those even within his own party — all candidates for the seat oppose BDS and recognize that the relationship between Israel and the United States is both strategic and solemn.

We expect Rep. Hastings’ successor to follow his example and work doggedly to pursue what he cherished more than anything in his long and storied career: Peace.