Texas is the most recent state to introduce a bill against boycotting Israel, marking the latest step in the fight against BDS on the US state level.
Texas has passed legislation aimed at combating the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.
Senate Bill 29 was sent to the Texas House after a 25-4 vote on Wednesday.
The bill relates to state contracts with and investments in companies that boycott Israel.
Bill author Senator Brandon Creighton stated that Texas should not do business with companies that participate in the BDS movement, which seeks to isolate Israel and disrupt its economy.
No senators spoke in opposition of the bill.
The passage of this bill came just days before Texas signed its first-ever trade agreement with Samaria. The agreement, signed by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller during a Samaria Regional Council meeting headed by Yossi Dagan, includes an exchange of technologies and expertise in agriculture and water technologies.
“We want to re-establish relations between Texas and Israel, and especially with Samaria, which is such a significant part of the land of Israel. We want to be partners of Israel and Samaria to recreate the brotherhood that was lost in recent years,” Miller said.
National Anti-BDS Tidal Wave
Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Michigan have passed bills fighting boycotts on Israel.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed an executive order banning state agencies from investing in companies that support boycotts on Israel.
More than 20 states are considering, or have passed, legislation targeting companies that comply with the anti-Israel BDS movement, and many countries around the world have introduced and passed similar laws.
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: United with Israel Staff