Resolution on HIV Antibody Testing

WHEREAS, there is no valid public health justification for restricting the free movement of persons on the basis of HIV antibody status, and

WHEREAS, the government of the United States requires HIV antibody testing for certain persons seeking entry to the United States, and denies entry to such persons on the basis of positive test results, and

WHEREAS, the government of the State of Israel recently promulgated rules requiring HIV antibody testing for certain persons seeking entry to Israel, and

WHEREAS, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations regards such measures as alarmist, unnecessary, ineffective, counterproductive, discriminatory and, in the case rules recently promulgated by the government of the State of Israel, harmful to tourism, immigration, volunteer and youth programs in Israel.

THEREFORE , be it resolved that the UAHC expresses its opposition to mandatory HIV antibody testing as a basis for denying the right of entry or residency to any person, by any country, on the basis o HIV antibody status.

FURTHERMORE, the UAHC calls upon all governments, including those of the United States and Israel, to repeal and renounce the use of mandatory HIV antibody testing for immigration purposes and to remove any and all restrictions on the free travel, entry and residency of persons based on HIV antibody status.