Oppose the Israel Anti-Boycott Act
On March 23, 2017 Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH), and Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Juan Vargas (D-CA), introduced the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S.720 and H.R.1697).
This bill seeks to impose criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and $1 million in fines, against individuals who support an international organization’s call to boycott Israel or even just products from its illegal settlements. It infringes on our First Amendment right to promote boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) for Palestinian freedom, justice, and equality.
Update: On June 28, 2018, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed an amended version of the bill and it could be voted on in the House in September. On March 3, 2018, Sen. Cardin released an amended version in the Senate. All three versions of the bill are unconstitutional violations of our freedom of speech. At the close of the 115th Congress, the Israel Anti-Boycott Act had not been passed.
Check out infographics on how the Israel Anti-Boycott Act could affect you.