States that boycott Israeli companies will lose disaster relief funds, DHS says
Why it matters: President Trump has repeatedly dangled emergency funds to advance his political priorities, but this move is largely symbolic.
"Recipients must comply with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws material to the government's payment decisions," the Department of Homeland Security said in an April notice.
"Discriminatory prohibited boycott means refusing to deal, cutting commercial relations, or otherwise limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies or with companies doing business in or with Israel or authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of Israel to do business."
Representatives for emergency and disaster agencies in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
State of play: States rely on these funds to cover search-and-rescue equipment, emergency manager salaries and backup power systems, among other expenses, according to a Reuters analysis.
The requirement targets the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, a Palestinian-led movement advocating for Palestinian rights and "urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law," per its website.
At least 34 states passed anti-BDS laws between 2014 and 2023, according to a University of Pennsylvania law journal report.
Flashback: Trump has threatened to withhold disaster relief aid from California over political differences with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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