Texas: To get hurricane aid in the city of Dickinson, one has to take a pledge not to boycott Israel. The law, known as the Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) bill, got signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in May.
“Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally,” the governor said in a statement, reports Independent.
Dickinson’s 4-page application for repair grants reads: “By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this agreement.”
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) slammed this condition of taking pledge saying it was a violation of free speech rights under the First Amendment.
Hurricane Harvey had done a major damage leaving several people affected in the United States apart from a loss of three lives.