Bill that would punish Americans boycotting Israel pulled from US Congress

An anti-boycott, divestment and sanctions bill scheduled for a vote on Monday has been pulled from the US Congress after severe backlash from several “America First” Republican lawmakers and social media podcasters.

“I’m told we are no longer voting on this. It’s been pulled,” Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X on Monday, in reference to the bill that particularly targets Israel.

Congressman Thomas Massie, a libertarian Republican who is critical of Israel’s influence on Capitol Hill, also confirmed the bill "has been pulled from the schedule for this week”.

The bill, dubbed the International Governmental Organization (IGO) Anti-Boycott Act, would effectively criminalise boycotting Israel.

It was drafted by Republican Mike Lawler and Democrat Josh Gottheimer in January, and co-sponsored by 22 other lawmakers from the Republican and Democratic parties.

The legislation was slammed by both free speech activists and pro-Palestinian organisations, uniting various constituencies that would otherwise find themselves on opposite sides of US domestic issues.

“It is my job to defend Americans’ rights to buy or boycott whomever they choose without the government harshly fining them or imprisoning them,” Greene wrote on X on Sunday ahead of the vote.

“But what I don’t understand is why we are voting on a bill on behalf of other countries and not the President’s executive orders that are FOR OUR COUNTRY???” She added.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) also denounced the bill as a “threat” to “First Amendment free speech rights".

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"The right to boycott is an intrinsic part of the First Amendment and a cornerstone of American democracy - from resisting British colonial rule to supporting civil rights and opposing apartheid in South Africa. That right must not be infringed,” Cair said.

Under the sweeping bill, US citizens, businesses and organisations could face civil penalties, criminal fines of up to $1m, and potentially imprisonment of up to 20 years for aligning with internationally backed calls to boycott Israel.

Progressive Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill, but for political watchers, the more interesting opposition emerged within the Republican Party and among fervent supporters of President Trump.

Charlie Kirk, an influential conservative media personality, on Sunday launched a campaign against the bill on X, saying the “right to speak freely is the birthright of all Americans”.

Steve Bannon, the former Trump advisor whose podcast War Room has become required listening to those trying to discern Trump’s America First world view, also supported Kirk and Green’s remarks against the bill.

For decades, Republicans have been stalwart supporters of Israel, maintaining their vocal support even as progressive democrats became more critical.

Although the anti-boycott bill galvanised free speech advocates, the response from conservative personalities reflects a growing trend in the US to view Israel with scepticism, which has intensified since the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel, which sparked the Israeli invasion of Gaza and a simmering Middle East war.

According to a Pew poll published in April, 53 percent of Americans now express an unfavourable opinion of Israel, up from 42 percent in March 2022.

The deep scepticism of Israel among Trump allies has been playing out in the podcast space. Last month, conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson hosted media personality Matt Walsh for a discussion where the two talked briefly about whether Israel should “exist” as a country if it has to rely on US military support.

The shift in negative sentiment on Israel has been notable among young Republicans under 50, who are more likely to tune into podcasts like Carlson's and be motivated by free speech concerns and the disbursement of foreign aid.