First Western Ship Transits Strait of Hormuz Since Iran War Began 
Nike Beats Q3 Estimates but China Weakness and Margin Pressure Weigh on Outlook 
Ukrainian Drones and the #MadeByHousewives Movement: Kyiv Fires Back at Rheinmetall CEO 
Microsoft's $10 Billion Japan Investment: AI Infrastructure and Data Sovereignty Push 
Microsoft Eyes $7B Texas Energy Deal to Power AI Data Centers 
Cathay Pacific Holds Firm on Flight Capacity Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Fuel Costs 
UPS and Teamsters Reach Agreement to Limit Driver Severance Program 
Apple Turns 50: From Garage Startup to AI Crossroads 
Samsung Electronics Eyes Record Q1 Profit Amid AI-Driven Chip Boom 
Elon Musk Ties SpaceX IPO Access to Mandatory Grok AI Subscriptions 
UAE's Largest Natural Gas Facility Suspended After Attack-Triggered Fire 
Europe's Aviation Sector on Track to Meet 2025 Green Fuel Mandate 
Britain Courts Anthropic Amid US Defense Department Dispute 
CTOC Adds 3,000 Doctors, 500 Hospitals Ahead of Liquidity Push 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
Trump Administration Plans 100% Tariffs on Pharmaceutical Imports 
Luxury Car Sales in the Middle East Take a Hit Amid Iran War 
WASHINGTON, Dec. 09, 2016 -- The Israel Project today released the following statement:
"The Israel Project today congratulated the Ohio State legislature for passing a bill designed to prevent taxpayer dollars from flowing to entities involved in Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The legislation passed the House by a margin of 81 to 13 and the Senate by a margin of 26 to 5.
"BDS is an anti-Semitic initiative designed to delegitimize and isolate the only Jewish state in the world. While atrocities and human rights violations are committed by governments across the world on a daily basis, Israel, a liberal democracy with universal rights, is the only country singled out by this prejudiced campaign.
"The passage of today’s legislation ensures that the state of Ohio will not stand idly by while such hatred is propagated, nor will it contribute funds to the continued demonization of the only democracy in the Middle East.
"In addition to prohibiting state participation the negative campaign of BDS, Ohio proactively and positively declared its support for Israel with the passing of an amendment that allows for an increase in the amount of foreign bonds, including Israel Bonds, in which the state and county treasurers can invest. The lead sponsors of the amendment were Rep. Robert Sprague and Rep. Steve Slesnick, and it was passed with the blessing and key tactical support of Treasurer Mandel.
'“BDS is deceitful; it pretends to be a campaign for human rights, but this is an unequivocal lie. It is nothing but anti-Semitism, and I am thankful that the lawmakers in Ohio saw it for what it is,” said The Israel Project CEO Josh Block. “This is an important moment for the people of Ohio, and I applaud them for standing in solidarity against discrimination.”
"The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kirk Schuring. Gov. Kasich (R) is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days."
Ohio is the latest of more than a dozen states to enact such a law, following the passage of similar legislation in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina and the signing of an executive order in New York.
About The Israel Project
The Israel Project (TIP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization that provides factual information about Israel and the Middle East to the press, policymakers and the public. Founded in 2003, TIP works in multiple languages to provide real-time background information, images, maps, audio, video, graphics and direct access to newsmakers. To learn more about TIP, visit http://www.theisraelproject.org.
Jarad Geldner [email protected] (202) 527-9524
