(JTA) Ron Kampeas - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved by a 77-23 vote a bill that codifies $38 billion in defense assistance to Israel and which provides legal cover to states that target the boycott-Israel movement. Among the Democratic dissenters to the bill - sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) - were declared presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Non-declared presidential contenders who voted against included Bernie Sanders and Sherrod Brown. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee praised the Senate for passing the bill and noted, "The legislation has no impact on the right of Americans to personally boycott Israel or oppose Israeli policies. The bill's scope is limited to commercial activities between companies and state and local governments."
2019-02-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive