Letter: Penalties against a boycott are wrong
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, Feb. 14, 2016. Credit: AP
Some New York State lawmakers plan to penalize people, corporations and nonprofit organizations that advocate or engage in a boycott of Israeli goods and services [“OK sought for bill opposing boycott of Israel,” News, Feb. 29]. I believe this is extremely misguided and unconstitutional.
The right to boycott has long been accepted as a legitimate action that one can take to seek economic, social or political change. Boycotts have been used in many contexts, including the U.S. civil rights struggle and the international campaign against apartheid in South Africa.
To penalize those who advocate or engage in a boycott against Israel — some Senate and Assembly versions of this bill would punish virtually any boycotter of any ally of the U.S. government — is undemocratic and a threat to free speech.
Important issues of the day should always be actively debated and engaged without the fear of reprisal. We Americans should be wary of this threat to our democratic principles.
Jim Brown, Island Park
Editor’s note: The writer is the chairman of the Green Party of Nassau County.
