Texas City Drops Israel Boycott Ban for Individuals But Says Businesses Must Still Reject BDS to Get Hurricane Aid

Mondoweiss quotes USCPR Executive Director Yousef Munayyer on the city of Dickinson, TX, bowing to national pressure and removing an anti-boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) clause from Hurricane Harvey relief grant agreements.

Yousef Munayyer, Executive Director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights said in a statement: “We welcome the news that the City of Dickinson has decided to remove a requirement to pledge not to boycott Israel to receive hurricane relief aid. Political views on Israel, or on anything for that matter, should never be used by governments to deny equal treatment to American citizens. Discriminatory policies denying equality to Palestinians are precisely what those of us calling for the use of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) are aiming to end.

“Unfortunately, such discriminatory requirements remain in state contracts across the country, including in Texas,” added Munayyer, “due to a pernicious nationwide effort to use the law as an instrument to stifle non-violent dissent against Israeli policies.”

Read the article here.