Commentary: By overturning the ill-conceived “anti-boycott” law now in effect in our state, we can demonstrate our commitment to democracy and equity for all Illinois citizens and their families in the Middle East.
Marilyn Katz and James Klutznick: Illinois’ ‘anti-boycott’ law hinders protest of Palestinians’ oppressionA Palestinian woman sits outside her torched home, days after it was set on fire by Jewish settlers, in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya on June 24, 2023. Israeli settlers entered the town and set fire to Palestinian cars and homes after four Israelis were killed by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank last week.
What surprised us was not the cry for help. The last six months have seen a steady increase in violence against Palestinian villages, and Palestinian and Israeli friends alike have shared the news. The surprise was that the request came from a member of the Illinois General Assembly. State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid
The excuse for the settler attack that left dozens of homes and cars burned was the killing of four settlers by two Palestinian gunmen on Tuesday, which was, in turn, likely retaliation for the Palestinians killed the previous day during an Israeli attack on the Jenin refugee camp. However, the vigilante campaign by Israeli settlers has been intensifying all year. In Illinois, an “anti-boycott” law prevents us from taking broad action to protest this violence and oppression.
Who are the perpetrators of this violence? It is often younger men and women who live in the settlements. The settlements range from a collection of small homes to communities of 30,000 or more. Since 2000, they have flourished, to 150 settlements or “outposts,” with 700,000 Israelis living on Palestinian land, often seized unlawfully in violation of international law and protest.
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