ZOA’s Tuchman Published Letter in the NJ Standard: Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Murphy’s Failure to Condemn BDS
News Op-Ed
October 30, 2017

In urging that we all stand up against anti-Semitism (“It’s Time to Urgently Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism in All Forms,” Oct. 20), Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy lost an important opportunity to speak out against a current, serious manifestation of the problem: the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.

Mr. Murphy should have made three points: first, that BDS is anti-Semitic; second, that he disagrees with his running mate’s vote on the New Jersey bill; and finally, that if he is elected, he and his administration will vigorously enforce the anti-BDS law and work to strengthen New Jersey’s already strong ties with Israel.

BDS is based on demonizing lies about Israel, including the absurd claim that Israel is an apartheid state. The movement unfairly blames Israel alone for the lack of peace, without acknowledging the Palestinian Arab terrorism that Israelis endure and the Palestinians’ repeated rejection of a state.

Mr. Murphy’s forceful declarations against BDS were essential, given that his running mate, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, was one of only three lawmakers to vote against a state anti-BDS bill in 2016. The bipartisan bill, which overwhelmingly passed and became law, prohibits the state’s pension funds from investing in any company that participates in the BDS campaign against Israel.

Mr. Murphy should have made three points: first, that BDS is anti-Semitic; second, that he disagrees with his running mate’s vote on the New Jersey bill; and finally, that if he is elected, he and his administration will vigorously enforce the anti-BDS law and work to strengthen New Jersey’s already strong ties with Israel.

Susan Tuchman

Tenafly

Ms. Tuchman is the director of the Zionist Organization of America’s Center for Law and Justice.

The original letter can be found here.

  • Center for Law & Justice
    We work to educate the American public and Congress about legal issues in order to advance the interests of Israel and the Jewish people.
    We assist American victims of terrorism in vindicating their rights under the law, and seek to hold terrorists and sponsors of terrorism accountable for their actions.
    We fight anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias in the media and on college campuses.
    We strive to enforce existing law and also to create new law in order to safeguard the rights of the Jewish people in the United States and Israel.