A resolution expressing opposition to the European Commission interpretive notice regarding labeling Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas, as such actions undermine the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Bill: 114-sres-346
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-01-20
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations

Consumer affairs

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Europe

European Union

International organizations and cooperation

Israel

Middle East

Palestinians

Sanctions

State and local government operations

Trade restrictions

U.S. and foreign investments

West Bank
Latest action: action_date: 2016-01-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S134)

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-01-20
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Opposes: (1) the European Commission interpretive notice regarding labeling Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas; and (2) politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel or Israeli-controlled territory.</p> <p> Calls upon the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament to oppose boycott, divestment, or sanctions initiatives aimed at singling out Israel, and to refrain from actions counterproductive to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</p> <p>Encourages European Union (EU) member states to exert prudence in the implementation of the EU labeling guidelines regarding Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas.</p> <p>Urges the Administration to increase its influence in international forums to oppose boycott, divestment, and sanctions actions against Israel. </p> <p>Supports efforts by U.S. state legislatures to enact measures that oppose such acts against Israel. </p> <p>Reaffirms support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</p>

tv_txt: III 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 346 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2016 Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Risch ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing opposition to the European Commission interpretive notice regarding labeling Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas, as such actions undermine the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Whereas the United States supports a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic, Jewish State of Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition; Whereas a true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be established through direct negotiations regarding outstanding issues between Israel and the recognized leadership of the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority; Whereas a true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is in the national security interests of the United States and necessary to ensure the safety and security of Israel; Whereas the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has called on the European Commission to go beyond labeling guidelines and implement a ban on the import of products of Israeli companies that operate in the West Bank and other areas; Whereas politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel represent a concerted effort to extract concessions from Israel outside of direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution; Whereas the United States has long opposed efforts to impose solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict outside of direct negotiations between the two parties; Whereas the United States has historically been at the forefront of combating economic pressure against Israel and has enacted legislation to counter both the Arab League Boycott of Israel and the BDS movement; Whereas one-sided actions, such as singling out Israeli products, serves to encourage and prompt consumers to boycott Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas; Whereas section 102(b) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (title I of Public Law 114–26 ; 19 U.S.C. 4201(b) ) states that the United States should discourage potential trading partners from adopting policies to limit trade or investment relations with Israel when negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with European countries; Whereas the United States and the European Union have historically worked in coordination to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and Whereas multiple Untied States legislatures have enacted measures to confront politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel, including Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, South Carolina, and New York: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) expresses opposition to the European Commission interpretive notice regarding labeling Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas, as such actions undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian peace process; (2) opposes politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel or Israeli-controlled territory; (3) calls upon the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament to oppose any boycott, divestment, or sanctions initiatives aimed at singling out Israel, to refrain from actions counterproductive to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to work on bringing the parties back to the negotiating table; (4) encourages European Union member states to exert prudence in the implementation of the European Union labeling guidelines regarding Israeli products and goods manufactured in the West Bank and other areas; (5) urges the President to increase the use of the voice, vote, and influence of the United States in international organizations and other appropriate international forums to actively oppose politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel; (6) supports efforts by United States State legislatures to enact measures that oppose politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel; and (7) reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic, Jewish State of Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition.