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Bevin To Require State Contractors Promise They Don't Boycott Israel

J. Tyler Franklin, Louisville Public Media
Credit J. Tyler Franklin, Louisville Public Media

Kentucky has become one of more than two-dozen states to ban state resources from going towards companies that boycott Israeli products and services. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton says Gov. Matt Bevin issued an executive order freezing out those who support the boycott.

Capitol Reporter Ryland Barton says Gov. Matt Bevin issued an executive order freezing out those who support boycotts of Israel.

Bevin is requiring state contractors to promise that they don’t participate in the divestment and sanctions movement known as “BDS.” BDS advocates say the movement is a peaceful way to support the Palestinian cause and oppose Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.  But during a presentation with Israeli officials in the State Capitol last week, Bevin called the BDS movement anti-Semitic.“This BDS movement seems innocuous enough, seems that it may not be worthy of sounding an alarm. But it’s repugnant, it’s morally reprehensible it truly is.”  The executive order will require companies and individuals doing business with the state to sign a written pledge promising that they aren’t participating in the boycott.  Similar policies have been approved in 25 other states, but federal courts have struck down measures in Arizona and Kansas on free speech grounds.

Copyright 2018 WKMS

Ryland Barton is WFPL's Managing Editor for Collaboratives.
Ryland Barton
Ryland is the state capitol reporter for Kentucky Public Radio. He's covered politics and state government for NPR member stations KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin. Always looking to put a face to big issues,Ryland'sreporting has taken him to drought-weary towns in West Texas and relocated communities in rural China. He's covered breaking news like the 2014 shooting at Fort Hood Army Base and the aftermath of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.