Support for Israel is not a promoted issue in Iowa’s Gubernatorial Race, but there is a clear difference between the Iowa Democratic Party and Republican Party of Iowa.
For instance, the Republican Party of Iowa’s 2018 platform offers a brief statement of support:
We reaffirm our commitment to the State of Israel.
The Iowa Democratic Party’s 2018 Platform has some troubling language:
We support:
550. equal human rights/health/welfare for Palestinians and Israelis 551.
right of return/just compensation for displaced Palestinians
552. rights of BDS
553. escrowing aid to Israel until Israel recognizes Palestine at 1966 borders
554. Palestinian statehood/UN membership
555. peaceful efforts to achieve separate secure Israeli and Palestinian states respecting the rights of all personsWe oppose:
556. Israel Separation Barrier/settlement activities/moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem prior to final resolution and blockade of Gaza Strip
Emphasis mine
557. Anti-Semitism/Islamophobia
I want to focus on plank number #552, IDP’s support of BDS. BDS stands for “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” against Israel. How this is relevant in Iowa’s gubernatorial race?
On February 23, 2016, the Iowa House passed HF 2331 by a vote of 70 to 24. The Iowa Senate then passed it 38 to 9 on April 27, 2016. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by former Governor Terry Branstad on May 10, 2016.
The legislative finding and intent within the bill
The general assembly is deeply concerned and does not support boycotts and related tactics that have become a tool of economic warfare that
threatens the sovereignty and security of allies and trade partners of the United States, including the state of Israel. Therefore, the general assembly intends that state funds and funds administered by the state, including public employee retirement funds, should not be invested in and public contracts should not be entered into with, companies that refuse to engage in commerce with Israel and boycott Israel or persons doing business in Israel or territories controlled by Israel.
Current Governor Kim Reynolds, then Lt. Governor, was present for the signing of this bipartisan bill. The Iowa Democratic Party supports the rights of BDS. Does Fred Hubbell believe the same?
