The Oklahoma State Senate passed a law on May 15 barring the state government from providing contracts to companies that boycott Israel.
According to a from the office of State Rep. Mark McBride (R), who authored the bill, the law also would prevent the state government from leveraging an entity to boycott Israel. The bill also doesn鈥檛 apply to contracts valued below $100,000.
The bill the State Senate with 36 votes in favor and seven against; it the State House on May 4 with 75 votes in favor and 20 against.
鈥淭his legislation recognizes Oklahoma鈥檚 relationship with and support of Israel as one of Oklahoma鈥檚 largest trading partners and the staunchest ally of the United States鈥� in the Middle East,鈥� McBride said in a statement. 鈥淚n a time when there are people and nations that would like to see Israel cease to exist as a nation, this legislation is more important than ever.鈥�
The press release noted that Israel is Oklahoma鈥檚 12th largest trading partner, accounting nearly $104 million of the state鈥檚 exports.
StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein tweeted, 鈥淕REAT news! 30 states now have anti-BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions] legislation!! The newest state to come on board is Oklahoma!鈥�
GREAT news! 30 states now have anti-BDS legislation!! The newest state to come on board is Oklahoma!!!
— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein)
On May 14, the Missouri legislature passed a similar anti-BDS bill.
鈥淚sraelis and Palestinians want peace, they want investment not divestment, and they want for the whole region to prosper,鈥� American 91传媒 Committee St. Louis Regional Director Nancy Lisker said in a statement at the time. 鈥淭hrough this legislation both economies,聽Missouri鈥檚聽and聽Israel鈥檚, will continue to grow.鈥�
