A Texas effort to blunt Israel haters

Robert Pratt photo Copyright Pratt on Texas

Robert Pratt

According to a Breitbart Texas report State Senator Brandon Creighton and Representative Phil King have filed bills that require “companies that contract with Texas government entities to verify they do not and will not boycott Israel, also barring state pension and endowment funds like the Teacher Retirement System, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the University of Texas Investment Management Company, and the permanent school fund from investing with companies that boycott Israel.”

“Israel is Texas’ fourth leading trade partner with numerous joint projects in agricultural research and development, science and technology and industrial research. In 2015, Texas exported $498 million of product to Israel and, in 2012, had $118 million in military contracts. Nearly 300 companies in the state do business with Israel. Texas also holds more than $50 million in high-rated State of Israel Bonds,” the story reported.

“This bill sends a strong statement that Texas stands with its friends,” King stated in a press release. “Boycotts of entities and individuals on the basis of national origin, particularly Israel, often amount to ethnic, religious, racial and/or nationality discrimination, which directly contradicts state public policy.”

Said Creighton: “Israel is an oasis of freedom in the Middle East and our nation’s most valuable ally in the region,” adding: “Israel’s economic strength is reflective of essential values they share with Texas, so people of good conscience should be encouraging them, not stifling their success. It’s time for Texas to send a strong message of unity with Israel.”

Why these bills? Because Israel hating Leftists have been pushing an Israel disinvestment scheme including with endowment funds controlled by our state universities. UT-Austin’s bigoted student government assembly voted for just such in 2015.

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