Boycott Divestment Sanctions Movement Against Israel

In the Texas Senate and House, companion bills were filed Nov 14 to prohibit the use of state public funds for companies that are involved with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. BDS is a global campaign attempting to increase political and economic pressure on Israel. State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford), will sponsor House Bill 89, while State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) will sponsor Senate Bill 134.The legislators have proposed legislation that would make it illegal for the state to do business with entities that back the BDS movement. If it passes, Texas would follow a resolution that passed in Ohio last week to become the 16th US state that has outlawed BDS. The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce supports this bill, but we also encourage supporters to go a step further and combat the BDS movement by promoting investment and trade in Israel. The key to combatting divestment is promoting investment.