John Neely Kennedy: U.S. Senator from Louisiana, Opposes Arab American Appointment

Maya Berry, nominated as a senior policy advisor to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

Kennedy's objection stems from Berry's support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

John Neely Kennedy, a Republican U.S. Senator from Louisiana, has voiced his opposition to the appointment of Maya Berry as a senior policy advisor to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Berry is a prominent Arab American activist who has been a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Kennedy's objection to Berry's appointment is based on her support for BDS, which he believes is antithetical to U.S. interests in the Middle East. In a statement, Kennedy said that "Ms. Berry's support for the BDS movement is deeply troubling and disqualifying for this position." He added that "The BDS movement is a thinly veiled attempt to delegitimize Israel and undermine its right to exist."

Berry has defended her support for BDS, saying that it is a nonviolent way to protest Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. She has also said that she does not support the movement's goal of boycotting all Israeli products, but rather believes that targeted boycotts can be an effective way to pressure Israel to change its policies.

Kennedy's opposition to Berry's appointment has been met with criticism from some Arab American groups, who accuse him of McCarthyism. The Arab American Institute, a civil rights organization, said in a statement that "Senator Kennedy's opposition to Ms. Berry is based on nothing more than her support for a nonviolent movement that advocates for Palestinian rights."

The Senate is expected to vote on Berry's nomination in the coming weeks. It is unclear whether Kennedy's opposition will be enough to block her confirmation.