Democrats are showing their true colors on Israel by withdrawing co-sponsorship from Israel Anti-Boycott Act

At least two Democratic legislators have withdrawn their support for a bill aimed at countering a UN-led discriminatory boycott effort against Israel. Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush withdrew his co-sponsorship of the House version on September 5, 2017 from the "Israel Anti-Boycott Act". New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand withdrew her co-sponsorship from the Senate version in August.

The Anti-Boycott Act was introduced by Republican Senator Rob Portman (Ohio) March 23, 2017 in response to the UN Human Rights Council's adoption of a resolution that mounts a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. The resolution has spawned the creation of a blacklist - euphemistically entitled by the UN a "database" - of companies directly or indirectly doing business in Arab-claimed territory. Rather than negotiate with Israel - and thus recognize the legitimacy of a Jewish state - over final ownership of territory, the UN resolution and its Palestinian sponsors aim to strangle Israel economically.

The Anti-Boycott Act would prohibit U.S. entities from participating in boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations, including the UN, against Israel.

As of September 12, 2017, the Senate version has 48 co-sponsors (35 Republicans, 13 Democrats) while the House version has 253 co-sponsors (187 Republicans, 66 Democrats), excluding the withdrawn co-sponsorships of Rep. Rush and Sen. Gillibrand.