Statement from Palestine Legal on Arkansas Anti-Boycott Ruling

Boycotts are a powerful tool for seeking justice, as recognized by the Supreme Court. Today’s 8th Circuit court decision on Arkansas’ anti-BDS law ignores that history and precedent, treating the state law as a restriction on purely commercial conduct that carries no political message.

Today’s decision is an attack on our right to dissent from the status quo. In upholding Arkansas’ anti-BDS law, the court refused to confront the reality that these laws are part of an effort to shield Israel from accountability.

Given the proliferation of anti-boycott laws targeting other social justice movements, this decision sets a dangerous precedent for anyone interested in seeking social, political, or economic change.

For example, the reasoning used by the 8th Circuit could be used to justify laws that prohibit the state from contracting with companies that boycott fossil fuel companies - laws that Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas recently passed.     

History shows us that bad decisions by courts cannot stop a principled justice movement. Even as these battles play out in courtrooms and capitols, the critical work of organizing continues toward our ultimate goal: freedom and justice in Palestine, the U.S. and beyond.

LEARN MORE:

Check out a powerful thread on the Arkansas case and attacks on the #RightToBoycott more broadly from Julia Bacha - director of “Boycott,” a documentary on individual challenging anti-BDS laws.

Read more about legislative attacks on the movement for Palestinian freedom at our legislation site.