Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, signed a bill into law on July 13 barring the state government from providing contracts to companies that engage in boycotts of Israel.
The bill, which had passed the state Senate in April and the House of Representatives in May, applies to companies that make more than $100,000 and have at least 10 employees. Missouri is the 32nd state to have such a law.
“Missouri is proud to stand with #Israel,” Parson tweeted.
Missouri is proud to stand with #Israel. https://t.co/2LqU8OvR5m
— Mike Parson (@mikeparson) July 14, 2020
Jewish groups praised Parson for signing the bill into law.
“Victory for the 9 million+ Israeli citizens, Jew, Muslim & Christian businesses & workers over anti-Semitic #BDS campaigns seeking to destroy #Israel,” the Simon Wiesenthal Center tweeted. “An act of solidarity from America’s heartland with the Jewish State.”
Victory for the 9 million+ Israeli citizens, Jew, Muslim & Christian businesses & workers over anti-Semitic #BDS campaigns seeking to destroy #Israel. An act of solidarity from America’s heartland with the Jewish State. @mikeparson https://t.co/WJop9Sd5pT via @stljewishlight
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) July 14, 2020
The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “We applaud Missouri Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) for joining a growing list of states that have signed anti-BDS legislation into law. BDS is a bigoted movement that seeks the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state.”
We applaud Missouri Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) for joining a growing list of states that have signed anti-BDS legislation into law.
BDS is a bigoted movement that seeks the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state.https://t.co/OnG1oPkbqS
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 13, 2020
StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein also tweeted, “Great news! Another state, this time Missouri, signs anti-BDS bill into law!”
Great news! Another state, this time Missouri, signs anti-BDS bill into law! @BDSFail @StandWithUs https://t.co/OAV2uWP6vv
— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) July 14, 2020
Christians United for Israel (CUF) founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee also said in a statement, “We applaud Governor Parson for signing this legislation and making clear that Missouri will not be party to the economic warfare waged by Israel’s detractors. Missourians can now rest assured that their tax dollars will not be used in furtherance of the anti-Semitic movement to boycott, divest from and sanction (BDS) Israel. Even where it masquerades as anti-Zionism we will continue to roll back the anti-Semitic tide that is sweeping across the country.”
The Canary Mission watchdog tweeted out a video on July 14 showing two members of the Missouri House of Representatives arguing why the BDS movement is not peaceful.
SHOCKING New Video! @ampalestine 's Neveen Ayesh testifies in front of the Missouri House of Representatives in support of BDS and gets CAUGHT in her LIES! A must see and SHARE! pic.twitter.com/QlLTXAqDSr
— Canary Mission (@canarymission) July 14, 2020
