Government Shutdown Over, Senate Passes Syria Sanctions and Israel Assistance

Legislation that implements support for Israel and Jordan; and imposes new sanctions on Syria was passed by the Senate on Monday. It was to have been the first bill of the new session – appropriately marked “S.1” — but was sidetracked when Senate Democrats refused to allow any legislation to be considered while the government was shut down. The bill became controversial when because of provisions that prohibit support for the so-called “BDS Movement” [calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against all things Israeli] 17 Democrats withheld support for what in the past has been a no-brainer for bipartisanship. Led by three Democratic presidential wannabes — Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) – and Independent presidential wannabe, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt); critics of the BDS provision contend that it violates the right to free speech. While the argument did not prevail in the Senate, it is believed that those opposed to the ban on BDS participation might have enough support to block passage in the House. Israel’s supporters reject the argument offered by some Democrats that their opposition stems from adherence to the First Amendment rather than anti-Israel animus.