US Republican senators present bill banning boycotts of Israel
Washington (Quds News Network)- Twelve US Republican senators have introduced a bill which would prohibit federal contracts with entities that boycott Israel.
The lead sponsor of the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors (Chai) Act, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, said in a statement that “businesses who boycott Israel only seek to normalize antisemitism”.
Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) in introducing the bill.
Idaho and 36 other states have passed laws or regulations opposing the boycott, divestment, or sanction (BDS) of Israel.
His move follows the same bill’s introduction in the House of Representatives in July 2023, sponsored by Republican Representative Claudia Tenney. The Chai bill remains in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, pending a vote.
Risch previously wrote an opinion article in The Washington Times arguing that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (Unrwa) should be disbanded.
In February this year, the House also passed the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, which prohibits US citizens from participating in boycotts organized by any “international governmental organization” against US allies.
The Chai Act is a federal-level application of numerous anti-BDS laws which have been passed at state levels.
