BDS Movement
News about economic and academic attacks against the Jewish state
“Providing the imprimatur of three academic departments to such a politically motivated and directed event violates the core academic mission of the university, suppresses student expression and impedes the free exchange of ideas so essential for any university,” said a letter to UMass chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.
“The timing of this resolution is insensitive given that many Jewish students will be away from campus and celebrating the intermediary days of the holiday when the vote takes place,” said UMD Hillel staff member Elan Burman.
The modified version would apply to state contractors with more than 10 employees and those that receive a contract that is at least $100,000.
“We will not allow the promotion of boycotts under the disguise of ‘human rights activists’ as Shakir did,” said Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan.
Reportedly, $5,000 of taxpayer funds from the Education Department was used for the March 22-24 event, titled “Conflict Over Gaza: People, Politics and Possibilities.”
The move by Texas is the first action taken by the state under its 2017 law that prohibits state agencies from investing in companies that boycott Israel.
Current law requires companies and individuals to certify that they do not support the boycott of Israel before entering into contract with any state government entities. The new Texas bill would limit that scope to exclude individuals and smaller companies.
“I have been extremely disappointed by the way this resolution has been handled by everyone involved,” said junior Savanna Lim. “You can’t expect a student government to solve a geopolitical crisis.”
He opposes “the Jewish right to self-determination and Israel’s existence, openly calling for its destruction as a Jewish state.”
House Republican lawmakers are launching a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor on a Senate bill that would allow state and local governments the right to punish state or local contractors from engaging in boycotting Israel.
The final tally was 10 votes in favor and 14 against.
Applying the law in such a way would open a “Pandora’s Box,” requiring complex labeling for items from more than 100 different area globally where there are territorial disputes.
