Criticism has poured in online as legislators from every US state participate in the Israeli-funded conference, '50 States, One Israel'

The 250 American legislators spending a week in Israel for the “50 States, One Israel” conference have sparked backlash from across the political spectrum this week.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lobbied the US lawmakers on a visit to Israel to pursue anti-Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) legislation, as Israel’s leaders increasingly warn the country is becoming isolated on the global stage.

US citizens across the political spectrum have taken to social media to denounce the trip. Social media users from across the aisle repeated the same message throughout their posts: America is “occupied”. “This is what’s now being pushed across America,” one social media user posted, alluding to the title of the conference, “50 States, One Israel”. “Total occupation.”