The US Congress was holding a special hearing on Israel on Tuesday, focusing on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The hearing, titled  “Israel Imperiled: Threats to the Jewish State,” was taking place before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade and the subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa.
While visiting Israel earlier this month, US Speaker of the House Paul Ryan addressed the BDS movement in his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "“Europe has been engaging in this ridiculous and counterproductive BDS shenanigan...We in the Congress have been very forceful about that. By the way, when you try to boycott, divest and sanction Israel, you’re hurting Palestinians, as well.”