I writing to demand that you oppose all amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that attack free speech and Palestine advocacy. These amendments are unconstitutional, anti-democratic, and a direct assault on the rights of the people you are supposed to represent.
Specifically, you must reject:
• The IGO Anti-Boycott Act (HR 867), sponsored by Reps. Lawler (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-NJ). This is the same unconstitutional Israel Anti-Boycott Act that was already pulled earlier this year after public backlash. Sneaking it back into the NDAA is an insult to democracy.
• Rep. Goldman’s (D-NY) amendment enforcing the IHRA definition of antisemitism for all DOD personnel — an authoritarian tool that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism and chills legitimate speech.
• Rep. Tenney’s (R-NY) amendment requiring the use of “Judea and Samaria” instead of “the West Bank”, which is nothing more than an attempt to erase Palestinians and legitimize annexation.
• Rep. Gottheimer’s (D-NJ) amendment barring DOD contracts with anyone who boycotts Israel or its settlements, a blatant violation of Americans’ First Amendment right to boycott.
• Gottheimer’s STOP HATE Act, a sham bill designed to criminalize criticism of Israel and silence Palestine advocacy.
These measures have nothing to do with U.S. security. They are about silencing dissent, punishing Americans for opposing genocide, and forcing compliance with a foreign government’s agenda.
Boycotts, protests, and political speech are fundamental rights in this country. Any attempt to strip those away is authoritarian and unconstitutional.
I demand that you vote NO on every single NDAA amendment targeting free speech and Palestine advocacy. If you vote to support these amendments, you are violating your oath of office and betraying the people you represent.
First sent on September 3 by BlueCollarJew
