Quds News Network

Washington (Quds News Network)- The Trump administration has announced a new policy that links federal disaster aid to support for Israel. States and cities that boycott Israeli companies will no longer qualify for critical emergency preparedness funding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) revealed the policy in grant notices posted on Friday. To receive funds, states must certify that they do not sever “commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies.” This condition now applies to at least $1.9 billion in annual federal aid. States rely on this funding for essential services like search-and-rescue operations, emergency manager salaries, and backup power systems. The policy reflects the administration’s continued effort to use federal funding to enforce support for Israel. It directly targets the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which pressures Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. In April, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, issued a broader rule banning Israel boycotts for all grant recipients. A spokesperson for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: “DHS will enforce all antidiscrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism.” Civil rights groups and pro-Palestine organizations have long rejected that characterization. The BDS campaign calls for peaceful economic pressure on Israel over human rights violations. The Trump administration has taken an increasingly aggressive approach toward the movement, especially since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023. The genocide has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and sparked global calls for boycott. While the new FEMA requirement may appear symbolic, at least 34 states already have anti-BDS laws or policies, it could expand the reach of such rules to federal disaster response. Zionist organizations welcomed the decision. The policy could also affect major urban areas. Under one FEMA program, cities must accept the Israel condition to access their share of $553.5 million set aside for terrorism prevention. New York City tops the list of recipients, slated to receive $92.2 million, based on FEMA’s risk analysis.

Trump Administration Ties Federal Disaster Aid to Support for Israel

Also Read

Dozens of US Veterans Arrested in Capitol Hill Sit-In Against Trump’s Israeli War in Iran

“Not an Isolated Incident”: Holy Land Catholic Leaders, in Statement Signed by Pizzaballa, Condemn Israeli Desecration of Jesus Image

Hungary’s PM-Elect Disputes Netanyahu Invitation Claim, Says He Would Be Detained Under ICC Warrant