On June 12th, thanks to our Federation’s advocacy efforts, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution that delivers a significant blow to the anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement comprised of activists who seek to delegitimize and isolate Israel. This is the first resolution of its kind in an American city. The resolution was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Mitch Englander and Paul Koretz.
The resolution was written with help from the executive committee of Jewish Federation Los Angeles Community Engagement Council, led by Chair Daniel Gryczman, as well as professional staff of the Federation, who worked tirelessly to meet with Council members regarding this issue and the resolution.
“This is a tremendous victory on behalf of our community,” said Jay Sanderson, President & CEO of Jewish Federation Los Angeles. “This ends any possible future attempts by the BDS movement in Los Angeles.”
The text of the resolution is below:
WHEREAS, individuals affiliated with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
(BDS) Movement attempt to isolate and delegitimize the State of Israel through targeted campaigns across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the BDS movement seeks to block American cities from doing business with or awarding contracts to companies doing business with Israel; and
WHEREAS representatives of this movement have recently targeted the City of Los Angeles in an attempt to influence City policy decisions in support of their BDS efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Federal government and the State of California have adopted measures prohibiting discrimination in commerce on the basis of contacts in or with Israel; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has repeatedly emphasized that efforts to isolate and delegitimize Israel will not promote Middle East peace, which can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties; and
WHEREAS, linking the City’s public contracting process to the Arab-Israeli conflict would be contrary to state and Federal policy and is not in the best interest of the City; and
WHEREAS, attempting to isolate Israel in this way will only cause needless division within our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Los Angeles will continue to make contracting decisions based on the best interests of the City, its residents, businesses and taxpayers and in accordance with the City Charter and applicable State and Federal law and hereby affirms that issues related to the Arab-Israeli conflict will not be considered and will have no impact on the awarding of contracts with the City of Los Angeles.
Our Federation’s Community Engagement strategic initiative works to build a stronger Los Angeles for everyone, and to advocate for Israel and its people. This past fall, the team successfully thwarted another bid by anti-Israel activists seeking to influence a city contract with a company that conducts business with Israel.
For more information, contact CommunityEngagement@JewishLA.org.
