The following letter was submitted by
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Dear Editor,
Last week, I had the honor of testifying in favor of anti-BDS legislation before a Senate Judiciary Committee in California's State Capitol.
As the lead-off witness on behalf of
State Assemblyman Richard Bloom’s (AB 2844) (pictured), I provided historic
background of the Israel/Apartheid and anti-Israel boycotters, which I personally
experienced at the infamous UN Durban ‘anti-racism’ Conference in South Africa,
just days before 9/11/2001.
During my testimony, I also spoke about crucial
Israeli expertise to help address disastrous water shortages in California and
other places around the globe; Israel’s incredible advances in the field of
bio-medicine that is helping medical centers and physicians to better treat
their patients; and the incredible synergy between Silicon Valley and Israel’s
brilliant hi-tech innovators that improve our daily lives and commerce.
The two-hour debate was tense and intense with pro-“BDSers” fully represented. In the end, the vote in this committee was 5-2 in favor of AB 2844. We hope the bill will pass both Houses later this Summer.
The SWC wishes to commend Jewish
activists across America who have helped turn the tide against BDS in seven key
states.
We will continue to keep you informed on
these and other issues in the months to come.
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