At a time of significant instability in the region, it is deeply concerning to us that the EU is considering a proposal intended to impose more diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel. The proposed labeling guidelines play into the narrative of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement, which is an effort to delegitimize Israel rather than promote a resolution of outstanding issues between Israel and the Palestinians. Far from advancing such a resolution, the proposed labeling would prejudge the outcome of future negotiations. We call upon you not to adopt the proposed labeling guidelines. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) Cory Booker (D-N.J.) John Boozman (R-Ark.) Richard Burr (R-N.C.) Ben Cardin (R-Md.) Robert Casey (D-Pa.) Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Dean Heller (R-Nev.) James Inhofe (R-Okla.) Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) James Lankford (R-Okla.) Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) Gary Peters (D-Mich.) Rob Portman (R-Ohio) Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Tim Scott (R-S.C.) Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) Pat Toomey (R-Penn.) Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
All of the senators currently in the race for their party’s presidential nominee signed the letter except Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Six of the 36 Senators who signed the Mogherini labeling letter had announced their support – reluctant or otherwise – for the Nuclear Iran Deal. These are Richard Blumenthal (D-CONN), Michael Bennet (D-COLO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert Casey (D-PA), Gary Peters (D-MICH), Ron Wyden (D-ORE), and even one of the two original co-sponsors, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).