President Obama’s Anti-Israel Actions Are Dangerous to America

The Obama Administration’s doublespeak concerning its position on the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement is nonsensical, repugnant to democratic principles, and, frankly, dangerous—to both Israeli and American interests. Israel is one of our nation’s oldest and greatest allies. Any conduct that threatens Israel’s economic interests likewise threatens our own.

Recognizing as much, Congress recently enacted—with overwhelming bipartisan support—trade legislation that includes an express provision establishing as a “principal negotiating objective” for United States officials engaged in trade negotiations in European countries “to discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel and to seek the elimination of politically motivated nontariff barriers on Israeli goods, services, or other commerce imposed on the State of Israel.” President Obama, however, despite signing the bill into law, has issued a public statement explaining that his Administration will not enforce this pro-Israel provision.

While the Administration has previously refused to defend in court duly enacted legislation that does not comport with the President’s politics, this is a far more drastic resolution in that the Administration is not merely taking a legal position regarding a law’s constitutionality but is actually refusing to comply with the law of the land (not to mention the President himself violating his oath of office) based purely on the President’s personal disagreement with the law. When a bill becomes law, it expresses the will of Congress and, thus, of the American people. President Obama’s refusal to enforce the anti-BDS provision of the trade bill is a direct slap in the face to longstanding separation of powers principles.

It is also a slap in the face to Israel itself. As even congressional members of his own party have emphasized in breaking with Obama on this issue, the President says he does not supportthe BDS movement, yet simultaneously opposes a law that requires U.S. officials to discourage pro-BDS activities aimed at delegitimizing Israel through economic measures. As most of us learned in grade school, actions speak louder than words, and the actions (and inaction) of this President and his Administration communicate his actual position loud and clear. He has snubbed the Israeli Prime Minister, repeatedly castigated Israel and its policies in recent days, and his Administration has now issued a memorandum ordering the labeling of Israeli-manufactured goods in the West Bank. The equation here is simple: failure to oppose BDS and related efforts = support of BDS, which, as we have previously discussed = hostility toward the very existence of the Jewish State.

It has long been U.S. policy to encourage peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, but the Obama Administration’s efforts only serve to further divide the two, turning both history and present reality on their heads. The President’s nod to the BDS movement blatantly ignores the past willingness of Israel to work toward a peaceful co-existence, tacitly condones the repeated refusals of the Palestinians to accept any resolution that includes the continued existence of Israel as such, and accepts the erroneous Palestinian rhetoric that Israel’s defensive measures—necessitated by Palestinian attacks—constitute human rights violations, while turning a blind eye to the very real human rights atrocities committed by Israel’s neighboring countries. This approach is antithetical to a peaceful Middle East, and, consequently, harmful to our own national interests, which have long been bolstered by our alliance with the only existing democratic state in that region.

In short, this Administration’s refusal to condemn the BDS movement in all its forms constitutes nothing less than a vote in favor of the movement and its goals: to cripple—and ultimately annihilate—the State of Israel. Contrary to President Obama’s assertions, it is his tactics that are inconsistent with—and detrimental to—not only Israeli interests but also longstanding U.S. policy.