US Lawmakers to John Kerry: Oppose UN Human Rights Council 'Assault on Israel'

"US Representatives Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) and Juan Vargas (D-CA), along with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Trade Representative Michael Froman this week, calling on them to oppose a UN Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

'We write to urge you to take action to oppose the UN Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) recent resolution calling for foreign divestment from Israel,' the letter began. 'This latest action is unprecedented in scope and threatens significant damage to both Israel and the United States, thus warranting a vigorous response...

The UNHRC's effort, the latest in a long history of singling out Israel for special condemnation, occurs within the larger context of ongoing political and commercial assaults on Israel's legitimacy, known as BDS – boycotts, divestment and sanctions.'

A 'blacklist' attempts to 'strangle Israel's economy and coerce Israel into unilateral concessions,' as had been done in decades past, they continued - and it sets a dangerous precedent.

'Any foreign company, including American ones, could be targeted by this effort even if they are conducting completely legal activities under U.S. and international law," they said...

'We urge you to quickly, publicly and forcefully commit that the United States will not comply with the UNHRC resolution,' they conclude..."