In response to both the Idaho and West Virginia legislatures passage of laws that penalize Americans who call for boycott of Israel or Israeli settlements, Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, released the following statement:
“For people who care about a democratic Israel, this legislation gagging free speech is simply wrong. These laws are a part of a strategy designed by Israel’s extremist far-right to make sure that there will never be a two-state solution.
“These laws harm both Israel and free speech. Democracies protect freedom of expression and dissent; they don’t silence citizens. No friend of democracy, nor any friend of Israel can support this legislation in good conscience.
“The New Israel Fund does not support the global BDS movement, but we proudly and firmly oppose this bill and any other bill that silences dissent and erase the Green Line. Alongside our partners and grantees in Israel, we will continue leading the charge to protect the democratic values and institutions we hold dear.