Iowa

(Updated 8/25/2016)

In 2016, one anti-BDS bill was signed into law by Governor Branstad. SSB 3087/HSB 583 will require Iowa to create a blacklist of "businesses and business entities that are publicly traded and not based in the United States," and would prohibit Iowa from contracting with or investing in blacklisted entities.

• Take action via American Friends Service Committee
• Share with your legislature: Legal analysis via ACLU of Iowa
• Read the bill: HF 2331
• Bill status: Signed into law by the Governor

Remember

These bills are the result of a campaign to suppress Palestine human rights activism in the U.S. Israel's interest in restricting this activism should not override our constitutional right to advocate for change. 

The good news is that your right to engage in boycotts related to Israeli human rights abuses and to advocate for BDS is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. None of the bills and resolutions described here prohibit you from engaging in BDS activities.

Whatever your views on Israel and Palestine, these bills should be of concern because they threaten the rights of everyone in the U.S. to take collective action to address injustice. Moreover, we should all be alarmed that a foreign government, Israel, is lobbying U.S. politicians to restrict our rights.