HB 7223 seeks the abolition of and withholding of funds from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, an accountability mechanism established in 2021 to investigate international law violations around the Unity Uprising. Related bill: S 4389.
S 4389 seeks the abolition of and withholding of funds from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, an accountability mechanism established in 2021 to investigate international law violations around the Unity Uprising. Related bill: HB 7223.
This anti-boycott bill prohibits any public body from contracting with entities that boycott Israel or illegal Israeli settlements. Contractors are required to certify in writing that they will not boycott Israel for the duration of the contract. These written certifications are to be made publicly available. The bill applies to contracts in excess of $100,000 with any contractor having more than 10 employees. Contractors that boycott in violation of these requirements will be subject to civil penalties an amount equal to three times the contract. Additionally, this bill bars institutions of higher education from boycotting Israel and requires the board of each public institution of higher education to certify in writing that they will not boycott Israel or illegal Israeli settlements. Related bill: HB 1898.
HB 1898 is an anti-boycott bill that prohibits public bodies in Virginia from contracting with entities that engage in boycott activity against Israel or entities “authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of the State of Israel,” which encompass illegal Israeli settlements. This bill requires potential contractors to certify that they will not boycott Israel during the performance of the contract and applies to contracts worth over $100,000 and to contractors with more than 10 employees. The contractor is also required to impose the written certification on subcontracts or purchases over $10,000. Earlier versions of the bill included a civil penalty of three times the amount of the contract for violations of these requirements. It also prohibited public institutions of higher education in Virginia from boycotting Israel and imposed written certification requirements. Related bills: SB 1375.
HB 1606 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state law addressing discrimination as well as other areas of law. Related bill: SB 1252.
SB 1252 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state law addressing discrimination as well as other areas of law. Related bill: HB 1606.
S Con Res 14, SA 3357 is an anti-boycott amendment to the congressional budget bill that allows Congress to withhold federal funding from manufacturers that engage in boycotts for justice against US allies, including Israel.
S Con Res 14, SA 3358 is an anti-boycott amendment to the congressional budget bill that prohibits use of nutrition assistance funds, like SNAP, to buy products from companies that boycott US allies, including Israel.
HR 3515 attempts to link antisemitic hate crimes with protests against Israel’s violence against Palestinians. The bill, which has only Republican sponsors, calls for the Attorney General to issue guidance for law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of antisemitic hate crimes pursuant to the act. In the press release for a nearly identical Senate bill S 1939, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell smeared BDS as antisemitic and implied that boycotts for justice are on par with violent antisemitic hate crimes that the bill seeks to address. Related bill: S 1939.
S 1939 attempts to link antisemitic hate crimes with protests against Israel’s violence against Palestinians. The bill, which has only Republican sponsors, references IHRA’s distorted definition of antisemitism, and calls for the Attorney General to issue guidance for law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of antisemitic hate crimes pursuant to the act. In a press release, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell smeared BDS as antisemitic and implied that boycotts for justice are on par with the violent antisemitic hate crimes that the bill seeks to address. Related bill: HR 3515.
