A proposed Senate bill could make the act of boycotting illegal Israeli settlements (and the companies that operate within them) unlawful-- and in some cases, face up to 20 years in prison.
Sabra hummus. SodaStream. Even Pampers diapers. If you’re outraged by fifty years of illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, these are just some of the brands you’ll be avoiding at the store.
As concerned consumers, every purchase we make is a reflection of our politics and our values. We can’t stand by and watch as the Senate passes a bill that would take away our best, most powerful tactic for holding corporations -- and entire governments -- accountable: our right to boycott.
Make a quick call to urge your Senator to stand against anti-BDS legislation that would punish conscious consumers based on their politics alone.
The best times to call are between 9.00 - 17.30 EST.
Here is an example of how a conversation could start (or you can just wing it!):
Hello, I’m [Your Name], I’m a constituent calling from [Your City/Country], and I would like to speak to you about Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720).
There are lots of reasons you need to oppose it, here are just a few.
1) This Bill is an attack on free speech, and criminalizes supporters of a free, peaceful Palestine because of their political beliefs alone.
2) The Bill singles out the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement, a nonviolent movement designed to hold Israel to compliance with international law.
3) The bill criminalizes the right of concerned consumers to boycott goods and brands that don't align with their values.
Thank you for your time.
Tips:
- Be friendly and polite - the person picking up the phone will find it hard to ignore you if you are polite.
- Don’t feel like you have to answer any specific questions if you don’t feel comfortable.
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