US State Dept. issues muted criticism of Boycott Law
By JPOST.COM STAFF, GIL SHEFLER
LAST UPDATED: 07/13/2011 07:40
Washington says law an internal Israeli matter, reaffirms freedom of expression, protest are tenets of democracy; ADL praises US statement.
ADL Director Abraham H. Foxman Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
The United States State Department put out a mild condemnation of
Israel's new Boycott Law on Tuesday, deferring a direct reaction saying
it was an internal Israeli matter.
However, the Department of State reaffirmed that freedom of expression and the right to protest and organize are basics right under democracy.
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Anti-Defamation League director Abraham Foxman called the statement from
Washington, "sufficient," adding, "they said they didn't think this law
was good in the spirit of democracy," speaking with Army Radio.
His criticism of the Boycott Law, however, was more pointed. The law, he
said, is "unnecessary legislation, which will only do damage to the
democratic State of Israel."
"It's a sad day for Israeli democracy," Foxman told Army Radio.
In an earlier statement, Foxman said that while he opposes all boycotts
of Israel, the law concerns him as an infringement on democratic
freedoms in Israel.
"The
Anti-Defamation League has a long history of vigorous opposition to any
and all boycotts of Israel, and works every day to expose and combat
those who seek to cause damage to the Jewish state," Abraham Foxman, ADL
National Director said. "We are, however, concerned that this law may
unduly impinge on the basic democratic rights of Israelis to freedom of
speech and freedom of expression."
Foxman said he hoped "Israel’s Supreme Court will quickly take up a review of this law and resolve the concerns it raises."JTA contributed to this report