Texas cities could lose state funds for a Gaza ceasefire and a resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a letter to Mayor Jane Hewson, Mayor of San Marcos, warning the city council.
With his letterAbbott noted that while the council was considering a resolution for a “permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine,” it had not done the same to blame Hamas following the October 7 massacre.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the future of his state's space industry on March 26, 2024 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Israel is a stubborn ally of the United States and a friend of Texas. He has repeatedly made it clear that Texas does not tolerate anti-Semitism. Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies,” wrote Abbott.
The governor said he is “prideful” to sign a law prohibiting Texas government agencies from boycotting, selling and sanctions (BDS) supporting Israel. The BDS movement argues that Israel should not receive financial support for its actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
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Texas law, specifically Code §2271.002, states that agencies are prohibited from entering into contracts worth more than $100,000 without written assurance that contracting organizations will not boycott Israel. Under the law, “boycott Israel” is defined as “they refuse to refuse penalties with Israel, impose penalties, cause economic harm, or take action aimed at specifically limiting, and otherwise limiting commercial relations with Israel.”
In his letter, Abbott wrote that his office has already “reviewed the active grant with San Marcos to determine whether it violated the terms by misproving compliance with Texas law.” He further said that if the city moves to pass the resolution, his office will not enter into a future grant agreement with the city and will end the aggressive grant.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott will make his speech during an Israeli solidarity rally at the Del Jewish Community Campus in Austin, Texas on October 9, 2023. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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The City Council's agenda explanation for the April 15 debate states, “Continue debate on the immediate and permanent ceasefire in occupying Palestine, the arms embargo on Israel, the recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and the possible resolutions that may call for the protection of the constitutional rights of all people under domestic and international law.”
It appears that Alyssa Garza, a member of the San Marcos City Council, has passed a resolution on the agenda. April 15th Meetingframing resolutions as a way to combat large governments. Garza listed the ways in which he believes large agencies are threatening smaller agencies, arguing that Texans cannot rely on the same government “to stop the genocide.”
“[It’s] When they fund the bombs, but when they cut back on aid for housing, education etc here, it makes clear to me that it's connected. It connects when they silence the protest here and challenge it overseas. When they refund local governments and nonprofits and they stand up and call us “distracted,” that's absolutely connected,” Garza said.
The Palestinians will return to Beitrahia, a city in northern Gaza, on March 8th. (Khalil Ramzi Alkahlut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Another councillor, Amanda Rodriguez, said the resolution was not political and not a “moral litmus test.” She also described the war in Gaza as “genocide.” Furthermore, Rodriguez pleaded to Jews who did not attend the conference because of confusion with this resolution, which is being compared to anti-Semitism. As part of the plea, she said, “I cannot say that Judaism as a religion supports this.”
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In just five days, the San Marcos City Council is expected to vote for the resolution, and if it passes, Abbott's office is expected to evaluate the city's grant.
Hughson, Garza, and Rodriguez have not yet responded to Fox News digital requests for comments.
