House Passes Bill Blocking Pentagon Contracts for Companies Supporting Boycotts of Israel

The House of Representatives Passed a Bill Punishing "Politically Motivated" Boycotts of Israel On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a massive defense budget amendment that would bar companies engaged in politically motivated boycotts of Israel from Pentagon contracts. The bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, is the latest legislative attempt to target the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel's human rights violations. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., would effectively ban contractors boycotting Israel from tapping most federal contract dollars, since more than half of the $755 billion the U.S. government spent on contracts last year flowed through the Defense Department. According to a statement released by Boebert's office, "This amendment is designed to shield Israel from any accountability by penalizing those who protest its violations of Palestinian human rights." Critics of the bill argue that it would infringe upon First Amendment rights and could lead to court challenges. "This is a clear attempt to silence critics of Israeli policy," said Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a vocal supporter of the BDS movement. "It's a thinly veiled attempt to punish those who speak out against human rights abuses." Proponents of the bill argue that it would protect American businesses and jobs from being impacted by boycotts. "This amendment is about protecting American interests and ensuring that our companies can compete fairly in the global market," said Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. The upper chamber was debating its own version of the budget bill on Thursday, which does not include an anti-BDS provision. If the House-passed amendment makes it into law, it would mark a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Israel and could have far-reaching implications for American businesses and international relations. Background context: The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel's human rights violations has gained momentum in recent years, with many organizations and individuals calling for economic pressure to be applied to the Israeli government. Proponents of the bill argue that it would protect American interests and jobs from being impacted by boycotts. Additional perspectives: The bill has been met with opposition from various groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argues that it would infringe upon First Amendment rights. "This amendment is a clear attempt to silence critics of Israeli policy," said ACLU spokesperson, Daniel Mach. "It's a thinly veiled attempt to punish those who speak out against human rights abuses." Current status and next developments: The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. If passed, it would mark a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Israel and could have far-reaching implications for American businesses and international relations. *Reporting by Theintercept.*