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Source: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/BDS-is-the-modern-form-of-anti-Semitism-449415
BDS Is the Modern Form of Anti-Semitism
(Jerusalem Post) Ronald S. Lauder - There is a worldwide effort to isolate Israel. To undermine Israel. To destroy Israel. It is called the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Our enemies, having failed to destroy Israel militarily and economically, are trying to destroy Israel politically. BDS tries to present itself as some sort of democratic movement concerned with human rights. That's a lie. BDS is an international campaign to incite hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people. The BDS movement is not motivated by disagreement with specific Israeli policies. BDS has no interest in peace and no interest in improving the daily lives of Palestinians. Its real aim is the destruction of Israel. BDS seeks to boycott Israeli goods, Israeli scholars, Israeli doctors. But these academic boycotts are no different than the Nuremberg laws that kept Jewish professors out of German universities. Academic boycotts run counter to the very mission of colleges and universities. Colleges and universities should encourage the free flow of ideas. But too often, we have seen Israel's viewpoint shouted down or shut out. Schools that condone hate speech should be exposed. Alumni and donors who care about Israel need to make their voices heard. They should pressure university boards of trustees to punish hate speech against Israel. And we should not hesitate to bring legal actions. We will take on the anti-Semites. And we will win. The writer is president of the World Jewish Congress. This is based on his speech at Monday's Yediot Aharonot anti-BDS conference in Jerusalem.