10/22/2017 The First Amendment Is Under Serious Assault In Order To Stifle Anti-Israel Boycotts

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Home > The First Amendment Is Under Serious Assault In Order To Stifle Anti-Israel Boycotts

The First Amendment Is Under Serious

Assault In Order To Stifle Anti-Israel Boycotts
By Tyler Durden
Created 10/21/2017 - 20:05

[1]
by Tyler Durden [1]
Oct 21, 2017 8:05 PM
[2] [3]

Authored by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog, [4]

Assaults on freedom speech can be found in many aspects of American life these days, but
one specific area that isnt getting the attention it deserves relates to boycotts against Israel.

Increasingly, were seeing various regional governments requiring citizens to agree to what
essentially amounts to a loyalty pledge to a foreign government in order to participate in or
receive government services.

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10/22/2017 The First Amendment Is Under Serious Assault In Order To Stifle Anti-Israel Boycotts

Im going to highlight two troubling examples of this, both covered by Israeli paper Haaretz. The first
relates to Kansas.

From the article, In America, the Right to Boycott Israel Is Under Threat [5]:

The First Amendment squarely protects the right to boycott. Lately, though, a
legislative assault on that right has been spreading through the United States
designed to stamp out constitutionally protected boycotts of Israel

Over the past several years, state and federal legislatures have considered dozens
of bills, and in some cases passed laws, in direct violation of this important ruling.
These bills and laws vary in numerous respects, but they share a common goal of
scaring people away people from participating in boycotts meant to protest Israeli
government policies, including what are known as Boycott, Divestment, and
Sanctions (BDS) campaigns.

Today, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging one of those laws a Kansas
statute requiring state contractors to sign a statement certifying that they do
not boycott Israel, including boycotts of companies profiting off settlements
in the occupied Palestinian territories.

We are representing a veteran math teacher and trainer from Kansas who was told
she would need to sign the certification statement in order to participate in a state
program training other math teachers. Our client is a member of the Mennonite
Church USA. In response to calls for boycott by the church and members of her
congregation, she has decided not to buy consumer goods and services offered by
Israeli companies and international companies operating in Israeli settlements in the
occupied Palestinian territories. Our client is boycotting to protest the Israeli
governments treatment of Palestinians and to pressure the government to change
its policies.

Earlier this year, our client was selected to participate as a contractor in a statewide
training program run by the Kansas Department of Education. She was excited to
use her skills to help train math teachers throughout the state, but when she was
presented with a form requiring her to certify that she is not currently engaged in a
boycott of Israel, she told the state that she could not sign the form in good
conscience. As a result, the state refuses to let her participate in the program.

Kansass law, and others like it, violates the Constitution. The First Amendment
prohibits the government from suppressing one side of a public debate. That means
it cannot impose ideological litmus tests or loyalty oaths as a condition on hiring or
contracting.

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10/22/2017 The First Amendment Is Under Serious Assault In Order To Stifle Anti-Israel Boycotts

If this was the only example of such behavior, I suppose we could dismiss it as a one-off, misguided
directive. Unfortunately, this sort of thing is far more common than any of us would like to admit.

Heres another recent example, from the article, Houston Suburb Wont Give Hurricane Relief to
Anyone Who Boycotts Israel [6]:

A Houston suburb will not approve grants to repair homes or businesses

damaged in Hurricane Harvey if the applicant supports boycotting Israel.

The city of Dickinsons application form for storm damage repair funding
includes a clause stating that By executing this Agreement below, the
Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will
not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement.

No other clauses about political affiliations or beliefs are included in the form.

The state of Texas passed a law in May banning state entities from contracting with
businesses that boycott Israel. The law, one of 21 passed in states around the
country in the past few years, has been criticized by the American Civil Liberties
Union as unconstitutional.

This is totally insane. I dont care what you think about Israel, the above is completely
unacceptable in a free society and we should all be making a stink about it. Please share with
friends and family.

* * *

If you liked this article and enjoy my work, consider becoming a monthly Patron [7], or visit
our Support Page [8] to show your appreciation for independent content creators.

Academic boycott of Israel American Civil Liberties Union Boycott Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions Boycotts of Israel Collective punishment First Amendment Human rights in
Israel Human rights in the Palestinian territories Israel Israeli government Israeli
Palestinian conflict Kansas Department of Education Mennonite Church USA Politics
Politics Politics of Israel Reactions to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

Source URL: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-21/first-amendment-under-serious-assault-order-stifle-anti-israel-

boycotts

Links:
[1] http://www.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
[2] http://www.zerohedge.com/printmail/605754
[3] http://www.zerohedge.com/print/605754
[4] https://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2017/10/20/the-first-amendment-is-under-serious-assault-in-order-to-stifle-anti-israel-
boycotts/
[5] https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.816821
[6] https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.818307
[7] https://www.patreon.com/michaelkrieger
[8] https://libertyblitzkrieg.com/support-liberty-blitzkrieg/

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