Nevada Becomes 20th US State to Sign Anti-BDS Legislation Into Law

Nevada became the 20^th state to pass an anti-BDS law, marking the latest victory in the fight against boycotting Israel on the US state level.

The Governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, on Friday signed into law legislation to counter the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

Senate Bill 26, introduced by Nevada Lieutenant Governor Mark Hutchinson, seeks to counter the discriminatory environment fostered by the BDS movement.

Nevada’s anti-BDS resolution is similar to others passed by some 19 US states in recent years and prohibits public purchasing or investments with companies or entities that boycott, divest, or sanction Israel. The legislation does not restrict an individual’s or entity’s right to abstain from doing business for legitimate business reasons.

The governors of all 50 US states have signed a declaration condemning the BDS movement as antithetical to American values.

“We have a unique opportunity to send a powerful message that the hateful and discriminatory environment fostered by BDS has no place in Nevada,” said IAC for Action Chairman Shawn Evenhaim.

Since 2003, Israeli firms have invested $1.7 billion and created over 6,500 jobs in Nevada

Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island Michigan and Texas have all passed bills fighting BDS.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed an executive order banning state agencies from investing in companies that support boycotts on Israel.

The BDS movement promotes financial, academic and cultural boycotts against Israel, ostensibly as a nonviolent struggle against the so-called “Israeli occupation.” Critics say its activities are a modern form of anti-Semitism and that its true objective is to destroy the State of Israel.

By: Max Gelber, United with Israel