Biden’s UN Nominee Vows to Work Against BDS Movement

Linda Thomas-Greenfield said BDS 'verges on anti-Semitic' and said she will stand 'against the unfair targeting of Israel' at the UN if confirmed

During Senate confirmation hearings on Wednesday, President Biden’s nominee to be the UN ambassador vowed to be a staunch supporter of Israel if she is confirmed.

As part of her comments on Israel, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the actions of people that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement are “unacceptable.” BDS is an international campaign that calls on people to pressure Israel over its human rights violations and occupation of Palestinian territory through various boycotts.

“It verges on anti-Semitic, and it’s important that they not be allowed to have a voice at the UN, and I intend to work against that,” Thomas-Greenfield said. Her comments line up with the previous administration. During one of his last trips to Israel, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called BDS a “cancer” and said the movement is “anti-Semitic.”

The campaign against BDS from pro-Israel lobbies in the US has allowed the passage of unconstitutional state laws. Thirty-two US states currently have anti-BDS laws on the books. The laws prohibit state workers from boycotting Israel and require contractors who do business with the states to sign what is essentially a loyalty oath to Israel.

Thomas-Greenfield promised to stand with Israel against UN resolutions. “I look forward to standing with Israel, standing against the unfair targeting of Israel, the relentless resolutions proposed against Israel unfairly,” she said.

Thomas-Greenfield also had some harsh words for China during the hearing. She vowed to work “aggressively against Chinese malign efforts,” and accused Beijing of driving an “authoritarian agenda.”

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.