The Boycott Bill is Yet More Proof of Knesset’s Disconnect

July 26, 2011 / 0 Comments

The Knesset’s recent passing of the anti-boycott bill has been roundly criticized on all sides as counterproductive. It’s hard to disagree.

Make no mistake; the BDS is a malevolent force. They portray themselves as a civil disobedience movement, but their core intention is the destruction of Israel via the abuse of democratic means. However, wide-reaching antidemocratic measures such as this are not the answer to the BDS.

It’s also worth noting how the Knesset failed to anticipate the reaction of Diaspora communities to the bill. It is true that the MK’s are elected by and represent Israelis, not Jews abroad. However, their decisions often have consequences for Jews everywhere and they would do well to consider the opinions of Jews around the world.

This episode illustrates, yet again, the need for some mechanism within the Knesset to take the measure of attitudes within the Diaspora. Fortunately, the opportunity may yet present itself. There is talk of an America study group forming in the Knesset. Open to all parties, it would be a forum for discussion and analysis of the ideas, attitudes and sensibilities of American Jewry.