AMP stands with BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti

 (WASHINGTON DC 03/29/2017) -- The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) a national education organization and proud supporter of the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions movement stands firmly in support of BDS co-founder and human rights defender Omar Barghouti, who is currently enduring threats to his livelihood, his reputation and his family by Israeli authorities.
 
The interrogations, character assassinations and travel ban occupation authorities have imposed upon Barghouti is proof of the Israeli government’s systematic efforts to criminalize the BDS movement, intimidate activists and stop free speech.
 It is clear the far-right Israeli government has used measures to threaten and intimidate Barghouti, especially after BDS was elevated to the status of “strategic threat” to Israel’s entire system of injustice to Palestinians.
 
Worse yet, last year several key Israeli government ministers threatened Barghouti and key BDS activists with civil assassination for their work advocating for Palestinian human rights.
 
The current assault comes in the form of a tax investigation into Barghouti and his wife Safa. The Boycott National Committee writes:
 
“It is in this context that the Israeli tax department’s investigation of Omar and his wife, Safa, must be understood. After failing to intimidate them through the threat of revoking Omar’s permanent residence in Israel, and after the effective travel ban imposed on him proved futile in stopping his human rights work, the Israeli government has resorted to fabricating a case related to Omar’s alleged income outside of Israel to tarnish his image and intimidate him.”
 
AMP asserts that intimidation of BDS human rights defenders is unconscionable and entirely unacceptable. BDS is a peaceful and affirming movement that is touching the hearts and minds of people everywhere who are demanding freedom and justice for Palestinians.
 
Israel’s tactics against Barghouti will only strengthen the grassroots BDS movement as its adherents see that, in the words of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.