Lawmakers want to keep state and local government agencies from conducting business with companies boycotting Israel.
A bill filed by Sen. Joe Negron (R-Palm City) would block the state from entering into any future contracts worth over $1-million, or making investments for the state’s retirement system with companies engaging in what Negron calls “BDS.” It stands for boycott, divestment and sanctions, and is intended to put economic pressure on Israel.
“I think it’s important for Florida to make a statement that if you’re involved in the BDS movement, if you’re boycotting Israel just because it’s Israel, that’s your choice and you have a right to do that, but we also have a choice that we don’t want to invest in your company and we don’t want to do business with your company,” Negron says.
The measure focuses on future transactions. The bill passed its first committee 4-1 Tuesday.
