This anti-boycott law requires the creation of a state-run blacklist of foreign companies that boycott Israel and “territories controlled by Israel,” and compels the state’s pension fund to divest from and prohibit investment in those companies. Related bills: HB 4011.
This non-binding resolution condemns antisemitism and calls for rejecting and denouncing “all attempts to delegitimize and deny Israel’s right to exist.” The resolution draws from a distorted definition of antisemitism that could encompass any and all criticism of Israel, circumscribing protected political speech activities.
This anti-boycott law prohibits state contracts with entities, including sole proprietorships, that boycott Israel or territories controlled by Israel. Contractors must provide a written certification that they are not and will not engage in boycotts for the duration of the contract. It excludes contracts worth less than $1,000.
In February 2020, journalist and filmmaker Abby Martin filed a lawsuit against the University System of Georgia for cancelling her speaking engagement following her refusal to sign the written certification included in her contract that she would not boycott Israel.
HB 1213 is an antisemitism redefinition law that incorporates by reference the distorted IHRA definition and its contemporary examples from the state’s 2019 antisemitism redefinition law, HB 741 (s. 1000.05(7)), for teaching Holocaust studies. The definition and its contemporary examples conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The law requires school districts to certify annually and provide evidence that the law’s requirements are met and calls for the Department of Education to create standards and curriculum. Related bills: SB 1628.
HB 741 is an antisemitism redefinition law that directs public K-20 educational institutions to apply a distorted definition of antisemitism when addressing discrimination claims. The definition includes the following as examples of antisemitism related to Israel: “[d]emonizing Israel,” “[a]pplying a double standard to Israel,” including by “focusing peace or human rights investigations only on Israel,” or “[d]elegitimizing Israel by denying the Jewish people the right to self-determination and denying Israel the right to exist.”
The governor signed the bill while on a trip to Israel. When the bill was first introduced, it included hate crimes enhancements based on the distorted definition, but later versions deleted that language. Related Bills: SB 1272, HB 839, HB 371.
This anti-boycott law prohibits the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System from taking into account whether a fund, company, or other investment vehicle is in Israel when making investment decisions.
This anti-boycott law prohibits the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System from taking into account whether a fund, company, or other investment vehicle is in Israel when making investment decisions.
This anti-boycott law prohibits the State Police Retirement Fund from taking into account whether a fund, company, or other investment vehicle is in Israel when making investment decisions.
This anti-boycott law prohibits the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System from taking into account whether a fund, company, or other investment vehicle is in Israel when making investment decisions.
This anti-boycott law prohibits the local policemen’s and firemen’s pension and relief fund from taking into account whether a fund, company, or other investment vehicle is in Israel when making investment decisions.
