Republican leaders in the House opted not to proceed with a vote on a bill intended to shield Israel from boycotts, facing criticism from some conservatives who are concerned about free speech implications.
Former Representative Matt Getz from Florida likened the bill’s implications to the tenth plague of Egypt—the death of the firstborn. He posed a rather dramatic question: “If this bill is enacted, how many Israeli products must I keep in my home to steer clear of fines and imprisonment? Is there a modern-day equivalent of Lamb’s blood that protects my family from the consequences of leaving Israeli products out?”
The proposed legislation, named the Anti-Boycott Act for International Government Organizations, aims to expand current laws against boycotts by preventing Americans from complying with foreign restrictions, especially those imposed by international organizations.
While the bill does not explicitly name Israel, the country has historically been a primary target for boycotts. Notable Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, Anna Paulina Luna from Florida, and Thomas Massie from Kentucky expressed their opposition to the bill.
Luna stated, “Americans should have the right to boycott, and this proposed penalty poses risks to free speech.” She reaffirmed her stance against anti-Semitism but emphasized the importance of the First Amendment.
A spokesperson for Rep. Josh Gottimer (D-N.J.), who co-sponsored the bill, accused Republican leaders of yielding to pressure from right-wing factions. They speculated about bizarre theories tied to the Rothschild family, suggesting a connection to wildfires in California.
Gottimer’s spokesperson characterized the House leadership’s decision as a capitulation to extremists, criticizing the move as an attack on efforts to curb boycotts motivated by hate.
“Who actually supports this initiative?” they queried, pointing to members of Congress with questionable claims, including one who suggested that lasers operated by Jews caused natural disasters.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), the bill’s sponsor, defended the measure by noting that its foundational anti-boycott law was enacted under President Trump in 2018. He remarked, “This simply shifts blame to the UN. Did Trump virtue signal when he approved the original bill? And since when did you become a fan of the UN?”
On Friday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released an updated schedule that omitted the bill from the Monday voting agenda, which raised further questions. Legal challenges from similar state-level anti-boycott laws have argued that such amendments violate free speech rights, although various circuits have upheld laws aimed at countering anti-Israel boycotts. The Supreme Court has declined to review appeals related to these cases.
