Dupage Policy Journal

In the face of mounting international pressure to penalize Israel by boycotting companies that do business there, a bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) that would prevent such actions was authorized recently by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The committee’s approval brings the measure one step closer to a full vote in the House.

Backed by members of both parties, the Israel Anti-Boycott Act is meant to pre-emptively stop “boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations against Israel,” as a press release from Roskam’s office stated.

The same announcement voiced Roskam’s gratitude for the committee members’ support.

“As international bodies seek to wage economic warfare against Israel, it is imperative we stand with our ally, Israel, and combat these one-sided, politically motivated efforts to weaken and isolate the Jewish State,” Roskam said. “This legislation would update our anti-boycott laws to ensure we combat modern boycott efforts targeting Israel.”

The United Nations Human Rights Council began compiling a list of firms “that operate in or have business relationships beyond Israel’s 1949 Armistice Lines” back in 2016, according to the statement. This year, the UN Human Rights Council tightened the pressure on Israel by creating a list of 22 companies that are active in territories occupied by Israel.