Israel Anti-Boycott Act This bill declares that Congress: (1) opposes the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution of March 24, 2016, which urges countries to pressure companies to divest from, or break contracts with, Israel; and (2) encourages full implementation of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 through enhanced, governmentwide, coordinated U.S.-Israel scientific and technological cooperation in civilian areas. The bill amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that it shall be U.S. policy to oppose: requests by foreign countries to impose restrictive practices or boycotts against other countries friendly to the United States or against U.S. persons; and restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by an international governmental organization, or requests to impose such practices or boycotts, against Israel. The bill prohibits any U.S. person engaged interstate or foreign commerce from supporting: any request by a foreign country to impose any boycott against a country that is friendly to the United States and that is not itself the object of any form of boycott pursuant to United States law or regulation, or any boycott fostered or imposed by any international governmental organization against Israel or any request by any international governmental organization to impose such a boycott. The bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to include as a reason for the Export-Import Bank to deny credit applications for the export of goods and services between the United States and foreign countries, opposition to policies and actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with citizens or residents of Israel, entities organized under the laws of Israel, or the government of Israel.
Editorial Explainer
This bill makes it U.S. policy to oppose boycotts of Israel imposed by foreign governments or international organizations. It prohibits American individuals and businesses engaged in interstate or international commerce from supporting boycotts targeting Israel or other U.S.-friendly countries. It also directs the Export-Import Bank to deny financing for exports to countries that impose politically motivated boycotts against Israeli citizens, Israeli companies, or the Israeli government.
Why it matters
This legislation restricts the ability of Americans to participate in or support boycott campaigns against Israel, effectively using federal law to penalize BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) activities. It raises First Amendment concerns for some observers while advancing a stated congressional opposition to economic pressure campaigns against Israel.