Does Cuomo have public support for his new anti-BDS executive order?

Sure he does. Most Americans know only what they see on TV. And TV tells them that to be “pro-Israel” means supporting far-right Israeli parties and politicians. And TV tells them that Arab means “ISIS and al Qaeda”.

You conflate pro-Palestinian with anti-Israeli.

Cuomo seems more interested in a peaceful solution than in a “this side or the other” approach.

Since when does a politician need public support to sign an executive order? They do it because they can, and there is little political cost unless they do something totally stupid.

@zenvelo: “You conflate pro-Palestinian with anti-Israeli.”

Could you explain?

@zenvelo: “Cuomo seems more interested in a peaceful solution than in a “this side or the other” approach.”

I’m very confused. Maybe you could elaborate.

Cuomo’s decision is in my view a major mistake. In the PR war between Israel and Palestine, Israel has the political muscle, but the truth is that the Palestinians have the numbers sympathy wise EVERYWHERE BUT HERE. The BDS is but one indication of the growing and inevitable sophistication on the part of the Palestinians in furthering their cause. As things stand, very few people in this country were aware of the BDS, and now Cuomo is putting the movement before not only his New York constituents but the world at large.

@zenvelo How can @DoNotKnowMuch conflate two things that he didn’t even mention? And how is Cuomo showing interest in a peaceful solution when he has explicitly allied himself with the most violent group in the bunch (the right-wing Israeli parties)? We all know that both sides have acted badly. That’s just another bland platitude at this point in time. But these numbers—which were gathered by Israelis—don’t lie. This is what the “peace” process has meant for Palestinians. It’s a combination of Apartheid and the Holocaust, making it a combination of two of the worst sins of the 20th century. Israel even made Palestinians wear white identification badges in the 1980s (just like the yellow Star of David badges the Nazis made them wear during WWII).

@zenvelo – I’m not sure why you didn’t return to elaborate.

Looks like there is some resistance in NY. I’d be interested in hearing from any New Yorkers here – is this a big deal in your state? If no – why not?

I’m not sure why you didn’t return to elaborate.

Sometimes people are busy or asleep, I’ve learned not to assume they are declining to respond.

^ You’re right. It was just such an odd post in this thread. And since @zenvelo is still here posting on Fluther, I was hoping he would return and clear up the confusion.

@DoNotKnowMuch Your question pre-supposes that BDS is good, because ”...it oppose human rights abuses.”

But BDS is not to support Palestine, but to damage Israel. And economically damaging Israel also damages the occupied territories, and makes things worse for Palestinians.

I am not an avid supporter of Israel to the detriment of anyone else; but the problem is more intractable, as both sides are governed by extremists while the general population is much more desirous of a peaceful coexistence.

@zenvelo: “Your question pre-supposes that BDS is good, because ”...it oppose human rights abuses.””

Thanks. Yes, I did make that assumption because it’s my position that we should put economic pressure on Israel. I apologize for the assumption. I suspect I should start another thread that focuses on Israel and its treatment of the Palestinian people.

But it’s not just the anti-BDS issue that is troubling. Cuomo is creating a blacklist. I have read the text of this order, and it’s really terrifying.

BDS/Israel aside, do you have any issue with companies taking part in boycotts? Let’s say a company decides to boycott a certain state because of its discrimination of transgender people. Would you then support a governor deciding to make a blacklist of companies that have supported the boycott in any way, where you’d have to prove that you are not supporting the boycott?

We clearly have completely different views of Israel, and therefore BDS. But I would be interested in your thoughts on Cuomo’s actions – even with your position on Israel.

@DoNotKnowMuch I am not opposed to boycotts and sanctions, it was a big help in South Africa. And it is good for North Carolina.

But it is not an organized effort with a stated end goal in Israel, it just wants to punish the Israeli economy.

But it is not an organized effort with a stated end goal in Israel,

Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS

…non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:

1. Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall

2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and

3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.

I still insist that long term, Israel as a Jewish state is just not a tenable propsition. Everything lines up against the prospect, and the problem of the Palestinians is just plain insurmountable. As for the consequences implicit in the region disintegrating around Israel, the scenarios for the country are almost too chilling to contemplate.