A new bill, the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors (Chai) Act, introduced by twelve Republican US senators aims to ban federal contracts with entities that boycott Israel. Senator Jim Risch emphasized that boycotting Israel normalizes antisemitism. This bill mirrors a similar one introduced in the House of Representatives by Republican Representative Claudia Tenney. Meanwhile, the House already passed the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, prohibiting boycotts organized by international governmental organizations against US allies.
The Chai Act is part of a broader anti-BDS movement, with 28 states and six others passing laws prohibiting agencies from working with companies boycotting Israel. However, these laws face criticism for impinging on free speech rights and unfairly targeting businesses, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch and the ACLU.
Key Points:
- The Chai Act aims to halt federal contracts with entities boycotting Israel
- Similar bills have been introduced at the state level, facing controversy over free speech rights
- The anti-BDS movement continues to draw scrutiny and legal challenges regarding discrimination
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