Federal Disaster Aid Denied to States Boycotting Israel
States and cities that boycott Israeli companies will be ineligible for federal disaster preparedness aid, affecting access to FEMA funds totaling at least $1.9 billion.
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Overview
- Cities and states that choose to boycott Israeli companies will not qualify for federal disaster preparedness aid.
- The denial of FEMA funds is linked to compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terms.
- States boycotting Israel could lose at least $1.9 billion in FEMA disaster aid.
- The policy aims to enforce compliance with federal guidelines regarding international relations.
- This decision may impact disaster preparedness efforts in states that participate in the boycott.
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FAQ
States and cities that boycott Israeli companies risk losing access to at least $1.9 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster preparedness aid, which supports search and rescue equipment, emergency manager salaries, back-up power systems, and terrorism prevention efforts.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that there is no FEMA requirement tied to Israel in any current Notice of Funding Opportunity, that no states have lost funding, and no new political conditions have been imposed. FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy and not political litmus tests.
Currently, more than 30 U.S. states have enacted anti-boycott laws or policies that penalize companies, organizations, or individuals who engage in or call for boycotts against Israel or Israeli settlements.
The policy is intended to enforce compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and policies, particularly those targeting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which the Department of Homeland Security characterizes as grounded in anti-Semitism. The administration uses federal funding as leverage to advance its political message at the state level.
States boycotting Israeli companies could lose significant FEMA funds dedicated to disaster preparedness and terrorism prevention, potentially hindering their ability to maintain emergency services, equipment, and personnel, thereby impairing overall disaster readiness.
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