Trump administration links US$1.9 billion federal disaster funding to Israel boycott stance
The new condition, which also applies to terrorism prevention funds for major cities, is the latest use of federal funds for a political message
States must certify that they will not cut off “commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies” to receive the money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), according to the agency’s terms for grantees.
The condition applies to at least US$1.9 billion that states rely on to cover search and rescue equipment, emergency manager salaries and backup power systems, among other expenses, according to 11 agency grant notices reviewed by Reuters.
Fema said in July that US states will be required to spend part of their federal terrorism prevention funds on helping the government arrest migrants, an administration priority.
The Israel requirement takes aim at the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, a campaign designed to put economic pressure on Israel to end the occupation of Palestinian territories.