Margon rejects pro-BDS charge at hearing for top US human rights post

• Published date: 23 September 2021
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"I firmly oppose the BDS movement," Margon said on Wednesday.

Senator James Risch (R-Idaho) was not swayed. He referenced a tweet Margon wrote on November 19, 2018, in support of the initial AirBnB boycott of West Bank settlements, a move the company has since retracted.

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"Thanks Airbnb for showing some good leadership here, other companies should follow suit," wrote Margon at the time.

At the hearing, she attempted to walk the tweet back by explaining that she believed "the private sector has an important role to play in not pursuing discriminatory practices."

Risch said he "didn't understand" how her support for corporate action aligned with her denial of BDS support.

Margon tried again to reject the BDS accusation.

"Senator, I am not and have never been a supporter of the BDS movement. I oppose it," Margon said.

"With all due respect, ma'am, I don't believe it," Risch said, adding, "Saying it over and over again just doesn't square with your actions" and "doesn't make it true,."

Margon explained again that she opposed BDS, as did US President Joe Biden, and that if confirmed she would execute his administration's policy.

Risch also took issue with Margon's retweet in 2020 with approval of a New York Times opinion piece titled "I no longer believe in a Jewish state." He asked, "Do you still subscribe to that?"

Margon responded by saying she firmly believed in a two-state solution, "so that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side."

With respect to the tweet, Margon said, "Sometimes when we retweet or say things in the heat of the moment, we do not necessarily think of the broader impact of them.... What I was focused on was the importance of ensuring Israelis and Palestinians could have equal protection under the law, access to democratic processes, security and prosperity. That was the thrust of my tweet," she said.

The Idaho senator also dismissed Margon's past statements that said US targeted killings, such as the US airstrike against the commander of the Iranian Quds Force Qasem Soleimani, were illegal.

"There are wide discussions about the legality of these...