US House Passes Bill Targeting Universities Boycotting Israel

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would cut federal funding to universities engaging in boycotts against Israel. This measure, spearheaded by Republicans, comes amid increasing criticism from Democrats directed at the Israeli government over the war in Gaza.

The Republican-controlled House approved the "Economic and Academic Freedom Protection Act" by a vote of 237 to 169. The bill now requires Senate approval to become law.

The ongoing war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people according to Israeli figures, has led to widespread destruction and over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This conflict has fueled protests and boycott calls on numerous American university campuses.

During previous protests, then-President Donald Trump investigated and threatened to suspend federal funding for colleges. The U.S. administration and many congressional Republicans have labeled the protesters as antisemitic and extremist sympathizers. Protesters deny these accusations, asserting that advocating for Palestinian rights and protesting the devastation in Gaza does not equate to antisemitism or supporting extremism.

The House vote largely followed party lines, with only two Republican representatives voting against the bill and 33 Democrats supporting it. Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from New York, stated he opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement but voted against the bill to protect Americans' freedom of speech, ensuring that expressions he agrees with receive equal protection.

Proponents of the bill, including Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, argued that it simply stipulates that universities receiving federal taxpayer funds cannot discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with a specific country. They maintain the bill's intent is not to stifle academic freedom or debate but to prevent the targeting of Israel and Jewish people.