July 25, 2019

Success: Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Texas Anti-BDS Law To Proceed

July 25, 2019/ Guest User

On the same day that the House passed a resolution condemning the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign for Palestinian rights, a federal district court threw a wrench in efforts by the state of Texas to evade judicial review of a law that punishes boycott advocates. Judge Robert Pitman, who blocked enforcement of the law, H.B. 89 in a stunning decision last April, has now ruled that Texas can’t thwart a First Amendment challenge to the law by simply amending it.

July 24, 2019

Palestine Legal Statement on House Anti-Boycott Resolution

July 24, 2019/ Guest User

In a period when Israel continues to show disregard for Palestinian human rights by demolishing homes in Jerusalem and the Trump administration stokes hatred against immigrants, progressives, and congressional advocates for Palestine, it is troubling that the Democrat-led House would align itself with a rightwing condemnation of a grassroots human rights movement. Fortunately, this is a nonbinding resolution that has no legal impact on our right to boycott for justice.

July 22, 2019

Judge Rules Pro-Israel Students Cannot Anonymously Sue UMass Amherst Over Palestine Event

July 22, 2019/ Guest User

You may not be aware, but the lawsuit against the University of Massachusetts Amherst over its May event “Not Backing Down: Israel, Free Speech and the Battle for Palestinian Human Rights,” is still in play – sort of. While the court allowed the event to take place, the anonymous plaintiffs did not drop the lawsuit, and the question of whether UMass Amherst violated Massachusetts discrimination laws and breached its contract with the anonymous pro-Israeli students is still before the court. But that lawsuit is now in limbo.

July 18, 2019

Tell Congress: Uphold the Right to Boycott for All

July 18, 2019/ Guest User

After Rep. Omar introduces a resolution affirming right to boycott, the House advances a measure against boycotts for Palestinian rights. Take action and contact your representative now!

July 15, 2019

Proposed New Jersey Law Aims To Censor Speech In Support Of Palestinian Rights

July 15, 2019/ Guest User

A coalition of 13 civil rights and human rights groups just warned New Jersey legislators that a proposed bill to define criticism of Israel as antisemitic will lead to First Amendment violations. Palestine Legal sent a letter to state lawmakers on Monday joined by 12 organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Jewish Voice for Peace.

July 12, 2019

Backdoor Legislative Efforts Show Lawmakers' True Intent: Silencing Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

July 12, 2019/ Guest User

House Resolution 246 condemning the boycott movement for Palestinian rights could be moving forward in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. While some Democratic cosponsors might believe that passing this non-binding resolution will lessen pressure to consider more binding measures (such as the House version of the anti-boycott bill passed by the Senate in February, Republican efforts to slip anti-boycott language into broad and often unrelated pieces of legislation underscore that the resolution will only open the door for more attacks against advocacy for Palestinian rights.

June 13, 2019

Talib Kweli Disinvited From German Festival Over Support For Palestinian Rights, BDS

June 13, 2019/ Guest User

Prominent hip hop artist Talib Kweli was recently disinvited from a German music festival over his refusal to denounce the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement for Palestinian rights. Festival organizers disinvited Kweli after he refused to respond to their request that he make a statement about his position on BDS. The festival’s demand was prompted by a non-binding resolution passed by the German parliament last month defining the BDS movement as antisemitic and calling for the denial of public funding and forums for projects that support BDS or “question Israel’s right to exist.”

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