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Hearing Hearing Date: July 28, 2015 2:00 pm 2154 Rayburn HOB

Impact of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement

Subject
Impact of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
Date
July 28, 2015
Time
2:00 pm
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB

PURPOSE:

  •  To better understand the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, and review the economic impact of the Movement on American and Israeli businesses. 
  • To review how the goals of BDS may or may not be affected by International Trade Law, U.S. federal law, and state law. 
  • To seek to establish the formal position of the Administration with regard to BDS.
  • To review potential actions by the Department of State to maintain free and open trade among the U.S., Europe, and Israel.

BACKGROUND:

  • BDS is an economic campaign designed to apply pressure on Israel in connection with its negotiations with the Palestinians. 
  • The BDS Movement has impacted Israeli businesses and manufacturers, especially those operating in Israeli-occupied territories.  Certain American companies have also been impacted by the BDS Movement.
  • The recent Trade Promotion Authority legislation included language directing U.S. trade negotiators to discourage foreign partners from supporting the BDS Movement.
  • The U.S. government’s position on the BDS Movement is an open question.
Witnesses and testimonies: Daniel Birnbaum

Chief Executive Officer
SodaStream International Ltd.

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Mark Dubowitz

Executive Director
Foundation for Defense of Democracies

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Eugene Kontorovich

Professor of Law
Northwestern University, School of Law

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Matthew Duss

President
Foundation for Middle East Peace

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