Rivlin: BDS doesn’t believe in Israel’s right to exist

Rivlin: BDS doesn’t believe in Israel’s right to exist
Speaking at Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth’s anti-BDS conference, the president argues there’s a difference between criticism and de-legitimization, stressing that ‘we must show BDS claims originate in hatred towards the State of Israel.’

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) is based on the rejection of the existence of the State of Israel, President Reuven Rivlin said Monday morning at Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth’s anti-BDS conference in Jerusalem.

 

“We must differentiate between criticism and de-legitimization,” the president argued, adding that “Criticism is completely legitimate, and we are all focused on one goal; the wellbeing of our country despite the difference of opinion.”

 

World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and President Reuven Rivlin at the anti-BDS conference

 

“The BDS movement is a movement founded on the non-acceptance of Israel’s existence. We must differentiate between criticism and de-legitimization. We must show the world the claims of the BDS movement are based on hatred and enmity of the State of Israel,” the president stressed.

 

The president further stated that “in terms of the ability for a nation to return to its homeland after 2000 years, most of the world sees Israel as a friend who is requesting the creation of a different civil agenda today, meaning a Jewish and Democratic country where there is no contradiction between Judaism and Democracy.”

 

Read More: Rivlin: BDS doesn’t believe in Israel’s right to exist – Israel News, Ynetnews