US Senate supports bill that bans BDS, withdrawal from Syria

The US Senate on Tuesday progressed a bill that cautions US President Donald Trump against swift withdrawal from Syria and Afghanistan and sanctions US companies which support the boycott of Israel.

The Senate voted 70-26 in favour of the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act, hours before Trump delivered his annual State of the Union speech.

In December, Trump announced the withdrawal of 2,000 US troops from Syria after he announced that Daesh had been “defeating”.

READ: Israel labels BDS activists ‘terrorists in suits’ in new smear campaign 

The bill submitted by Republican Whip Mitch McConnell warned against any “hasty withdrawal” and imposes new sanctions on the Syrian government and extends military cooperation with Jordan.

The bill also allows states and governments to sanction American companies involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.

To become a law, the bill has to be passed at the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.