Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Signs Anti-BDS Order to Block Boycotts of Israel
The Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, today signed an Executive Order prohibiting executive branch agencies from entering into contracts or conducting official state business with any entity unless they certify that they will not engage in a boycott of Israel during the duration of the contract.
The executive order opposes the Palestinian led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which is a veiled attack on the Palestinian-led BDS movement. Hogan’s executive order is intended to silence anyone who participates in the peaceful movement to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinians.
“Israel is a robust democracy with many rights and freedoms that don’t exist in neighboring countries, or across much of the world,” said Hogan. “The shameful BDS movement seeks to undercut those rights and freedoms, using economic discrimination and fear, by boycotting Israeli companies and prohibiting them from doing business in the United States.
Additionally, Hogan asked the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to take divestment action regarding companies who retain investments with companies who are part of the BDS movement.
Reuven Azar, Deputy Head of Mission, Israeli Embassy said, “The State of Israel is thankful for the steadfast support of Governor Hogan and the people of Maryland against those who wish to delegitimize it.”
The order is misleadingly framed as an act of anti-discrimination, where in fact BDS does not discriminate against any person, but rather, companies and government entities that partake in Israel’s violation of international laws.
Compiled by Arab America