U.S. Senate Passes Bill Against Israel Boycott Movement

On Tuesday, February 5, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to strengthen Middle East security, stipulating that companies, individuals, and businesses supporting or collaborating with the "Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions" (BDS) movement against Israel would be sanctioned by the U.S. According to Reuters, this bill also includes an amendment regarding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, only after the "complete defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda." 77 senators, including all Republican senators who hold the majority in the Senate, voted in favor of the bill, while 23 Democratic senators opposed it. The bill will go to the House of Representatives for final approval, but it is expected to face obstacles due to the Democratic majority in Congress. Some House members have deemed the sanctions against the BDS movement as conflicting with freedom of speech. However, Republican Senator Marco Rubio from Florida strongly supported the bill, emphasizing that its enactment is essential to combat the "discriminatory" campaign against Israel that has taken on an economic aspect. The BDS movement, initially founded by Palestinians and their supporters in Europe, calls for individuals and companies worldwide to boycott and sanction Israel for its "occupation of Palestinian lands" and to refrain from investing in it, thereby isolating Israel. The BDS movement has also deterred some global artists from performing in Israel, supported by figures such as Roger Waters, the lead singer of Pink Floyd. If the Senate's bill becomes law, it will allow U.S. states to punish individuals, companies, and businesses identified as boycotting Israel. The Middle East security bill also includes other measures such as increasing the transfer of American weapons to Israel. The bill also strengthens U.S. military cooperation with Jordan and provides security aid to the Jordanian government, as well as establishing new sanctions against Syria. The bill contains an amendment that largely contradicts President Donald Trump's recent decision regarding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed adding the amendment to condition the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, emphasizing that "extremist Islamist organizations remain a significant threat to the U.S." This is the second time in two months that the Senate has passed a bill contrary to the foreign policy of the Trump administration, although in both cases, these bills have not yet become binding law. The U.S. Senate passed this bill just hours before President Trump delivered his annual speech about the outlook for the U.S. in 2019 to members of the Senate and House of Representatives. In this speech, Trump emphasized that U.S. forces have been engaged in Middle Eastern wars for 19 years, highlighting his administration's "achievements" in combating terrorism and the "defeat of ISIS," stating that "great countries do not get caught up in endless wars." Trump reiterated his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, arguing that "ISIS has been defeated in Syria," and announced a reduction in U.S. troops in Afghanistan, alongside progress in negotiations with the Taliban. However, the bill passed on Tuesday emphasizes that the withdrawal of troops should occur only when ISIS has been completely and permanently defeated. The bill stresses that although significant progress has been made in combating ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Syria and Afghanistan, a "hasty withdrawal" could disrupt regional balance and create a vacuum that Russia and Iran could fill.