Joining the fight to stop boycotts of Israel, Wisconsin became the latest state to enact an anti-BDS law.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issued an executive order last Friday to ban state agencies from executing contracts with businesses involved in the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction) movement.
“We stand firmly against discrimination in any form and we wholly support our friends in Israel,” said Walker. “I look forward to leading a trade delegation to Israel to foster new trade partnerships between Wisconsin and Israeli businesses.”
“Consistent with existing Wisconsin nondiscrimination provisions and regulations governing purchases…agencies may not execute a contract with a business entity if that entity is engaging in a boycott of Israel,” the order states. “Further, agencies shall reserve the right to terminate any contract with a business entity that engages in a boycott of Israel during the term of the contract.”
The initiative came just before Walker departed on a trip to Israel as the head of a 15-member business delegation. The delegation will be in Israel until November 2.
With the passing of the order, Wisconsin became the 24th US state to enact official measures condemning BDS or prohibiting government business with entities that boycott Israel.
Last week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order that blocks his state from awarding contracts to companies that support boycotts on the Jewish state.
The governors of all 50 US states have signed a declaration condemning the BDS movement as antithetical to American values.
Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Michigan, Texas, Nevada and Kansas have all passed bills fighting BDS.
The BDS movement promotes financial, academic and cultural boycotts of Israel, ostensibly as a nonviolent protest 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: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff