US Lawmakers Propose Bill to Cut Funding for Universities Supporting Boycott of Israel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Two US lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at withholding federal funding from universities participating in "non-expressive commercial boycotts" of Israel, following widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations across American campuses.
On Tuesday, Republican Representative Virginia Foxx and Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer presented "The Protect Economic Freedom Act," a bill seeking to amend Title IV of the Higher Education Act to deny federal funds to institutions engaging in what they term "non-expressive commercial boycotts" of Israel.
The legislation comes in response to the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic, cultural, and academic boycotts against Israel until it complies with international law. Modeled after the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa, the BDS movement, launched in 2005, has drawn thousands of supporters worldwide advocating for Palestinian rights.
Earlier this year, university campuses across the United States saw significant pro-Palestinian mobilization, particularly against Israel's military crimes in Gaza. These protests, often tied to BDS initiatives, demanded divestment from companies benefiting from Israel's operations in Gaza, leading to heightened tensions and occasional violence.
“If an institution is going to capitulate to the BDS movement, there will be consequences—starting with the Protect Economic Freedom Act,” Foxx stated.
Pro-Israel lawmakers have increasingly suggested leveraging federal funding to counter university support for BDS-related activities, labeling such boycotts as "anti-Semitic." Similar anti-boycott legislation exists in over 30 US states, requiring state contractors to pledge against boycotting Israel.
Critics, including pro-Palestinian advocates and free speech organizations, argue that these measures infringe on First Amendment rights. They contend that restricting boycotts, a form of protest, contradicts constitutional protections.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, initiated on October 7, 2023, has drawn international condemnation. The war has resulted in over 44,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, with tens of thousands injured and many unaccounted for under the rubble.