The purpose of anti-BDS laws is to make it more difficult for individuals and organizations to take part in boycotts of Israel, whereas anti-BDS resolutions are intended to be symbolic and non-binding condemnations of boycotts of Israel or of BDS itself. Anti-BDS laws are designed to make participation in boycotts of Israel more difficult.
What is the Combating BDS Act and how does it work?
- In 2019, Senator Marco Rubio, who cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, presented the Combating BDS Act.
- Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) are the other senators who are cosponsoring this bill (R-Missouri).
- The bill’s intention is to make it possible for states to adopt anti-boycott laws with the permission of the federal government.
What is Texas’s BDS law?
- The measure makes it illegal for the state of Texas to sign contracts or do business with organizations that support the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement directed at Israel.
- Because of this regulation, it is forbidden for any publicly funded organizations to provide money to businesses who support BDS.
- In 2019, Texas began the process of selling off its stake in the Norwegian financial services company DNB ASA, which was valued at $72 million.