A new anti-BDS bill has been introduced in the California state Assembly.
Dubbed the California Combatting BDS Act of 2016, AB 2844 is designed to combat the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel by prohibiting the state from entering into contracts with companies that boycott Israel.
“This bill reaffirms a commitment to increased collaboration and partnership between California and Israel on energy, water security and other vital issues,” said American Jewish Committee San Francisco regional director Sarah Persitz.
“Passage of this initiative would send a powerful message on the importance of mutually beneficial economic ties between California and Israel.”
California is not the first state to consider such a bill. If the measure passes, California will become the seventh state to pass anti-BDS legislation in the last 12 months, joining Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Indiana, Arizona and, most recently, Georgia.
The bill was authored by Assemblyman Richard Bloom of District 50, which includes Santa Monica, Malibu and Beverly Hills. — j. staff