Pro-Palestinian demonstrators repeatedly disrupted a City Hall hearing on a resolution condemning calls to boycott Israeli institutions, sparking dozens of ejections amid a tense hearing that saw both sides hurl accusations of discrimination.
The nonbinding resolution, introduced Thursday by City Councilman Andrew Cohen of The Bronx, condemns “all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel” and the boycott, divest and sanction movement against Israeli companies and groups.
Activists opposed to the resolution said it misrepresents the BDS cause, which they say targets only corporations that benefit from the mistreatment of Palestinians, a claim that a number of legislators vigorously disputed.
Opponents also argued that the measure seeks to stifle a form of protest protected as free speech — but they didn’t win over lawmakers by shouting over those who testified in support of the measure.
“Today’s hearing vividly exposed the hypocrisy of the BDS movement, which wraps itself in the flag of free speech while doing everything it can to silence those with opposing views, often in the most vitriolic way,” said Councilman Mark Levine (D-Manhattan), chair of the Jewish Caucus.
“What we witnessed today was Exhibit A for why we need to denounce this movement.”
A number of protesters chanted, “Zionism is racism” as they were led out by security, while Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) elicited gasps by telling a panel of pro-BDS advocates, “I’m not asking you to accept that I think that you’re anti-Semites, which I do.”
‘The fact that members of the New York City Council want to engage on a divisive issue… is, in my opinion, irresponsible.’
- Linda Sarsour, director of the Arab American Association of New York
Things got so ugly at one point that the committee chair warned that anyone who applauded, booed or laughed would be ejected.
Some protesters complained that they were seated quietly when City Hall security kicked out everyone in the balcony section.
One pro-Palestinian activist questioned why the City Council was even taking up the issue.
“The fact that members of the New York City Council want to engage on a divisive issue that has no direct impact on New Yorkers at a time when they should be bringing New Yorkers together is, in my opinion, irresponsible,” said Linda Sarsour, director of the Arab American Association of New York.
The resolution is slated for a committee vote later this month, before it goes to the full council.
In June, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order that essentially called for state institutions to boycott entities tied to the BDS movement — including by divesting public funds.