Ohio State Representative Andy Thompson (R-95) has introduced new state legislation confronting the growing threat of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement on Ohio State campuses. With the introduction of this resolution, Ohio has become the 12th state to publicly condemn this anti-Semitic campaign in their legislature.
The resolution before the Ohio’s General Assembly expands its condemnation of the BDS Movement to include denouncement of the increasing incidents of anti-Semitism being witnessed on campus. Citing the long history of friendship between the State of Ohio and the State of Israel, the legislation calls for increased ties and interactions in business, government, the arts and culture as well as educational initiatives.
Proclaiming Justice to The Nations (PJTN) Founder and President Laurie Cardoza-Moore applauded the new bill, saying that “in light of the positive climate of support for Israel through the new Trump administration, we feel the strategic time is here as never in recent history for Christians, Jews, and people of conscience both across America and globally to speak with one voice in support of Israel, and against a growing global anti-Semitic agenda.”
She added: “By working to delegitimize the State of Israel, BDS not only intends to destroy the Jewish homeland, but it also violates Title VI of the U.S. Civil Rights Act as it pertains to Jewish students and protecting their Constitutional rights on campus.”
PJTN’s stated goal is to halt the anti-Semitic BDS Movement on college and university campuses in all 50 states.
Through PJTN’s strategic grassroots mobilization, Tennessee became the first state to pass an anti-BDS resolution in April of 2015. Since the initial passage, PJTN “watchmen” (grassroots supporters) have responded in 47 states to join the movement against BDS and support the passing of similar legislation in their own states. To date, nine additional states have passed resolutions like Tennessee’s, with an additional 37 states in the process of introducing legislation.
In 2017, with the launch of PJTN’s “Campus Community Initiative,” PJTN has re-focused its efforts to stop the BDS Movement on US college campuses as well as the rise of anti-Semitic violence and incidents throughout the US.