May 19, 2016Hempstead Town Supervisor, Councilmembers Vow To Fight BDS Movement

Hempstead Supervisor Anthony J. Santino speaks at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Wednesday on fighting BDS (Photo via Twitter)

Hempstead, Long Island is joining a nationwide effort to oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to demonize and cripple Israel with economic sanctions and boycotts.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino, Councilman Bruce Blakeman and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito announced Wednesday that the town will be one of the first municipalities in New York State to consider legislation prohibiting town government from engaging in business with individuals or companies openly boycotting America, Israel and other U.S. allies. Under the new legislative proposal, Hempstead will only contract with entrepreneurs on friendly terms with Israel and the U.S.

Santino, Blakeman and D’Esposito spoke at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, where they were joined by local rabbis and religious leaders, Five Towns business owners, and other officials to condemn the the BDS Movement. Several town officials criticized the movement as anti-Semitic, jeopardizing economic cooperation between America, Israel, and other allies.

“BDS is just an ugly term for anti-Semitism,” Santino said in a statement. “Our free market economy is the foundation of a strong democratic society, but we cannot in good conscience stand with businesses that are hostile to the United States, Israel and our other allies around the world.”

Santino added that his administration vowed to “continue to fight bigotry, anti-Semitism, acts of hatred and all efforts designed to undermine the sovereignty of Israel and this nation’s other allies. Standing against the BDS movement is a key step in this fight.”

The proposed legislation would require individuals or companies seeking to do business with Hempstead to submit a certification that they do not, and will not for the duration of the contract, boycott the U.S. and its allies, including Israel, all NATO member nations, signatories of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization, signatories of the Rio Treaty of 1947 (excluding Venezuela), Ireland, Japan, and The Republic of Korea.

Santino, Blakemen, and D’Esposito held a conference call on Tuesday with Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely to discuss the issue of BDS. At the May 24 Hempstead Town Board Meeting, Santino will call for a public hearing scheduled for June 21.

“Standing up for what’s right is part of being a leader,” Santino said. “I will always stand with patriotic Americans in support of Israel and our other allies. BDS is just another term for anti-Semitism and will not be tolerated by municipal government.”