North Carolina passes anti-BDS bill

(JTA)—North Carolina lawmakers passed a bill that would bar the state from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

Both houses of the General Assembly passed the bill last week. Gov. Roy Cooper must sign the measure before it becomes law.

It passed the state House of Representatives by a vote of 96-19 and the state Senate by a vote of 45-3.

Under the legislation, state institutions must stop contracts with companies that boycott companies or products made in Israel. The bill also prohibits future work with such companies.

North Carolina businesses conduct nearly $140 million per year in exports and commerce with Israel, according to the North Carolina Jewish Federation.

North Carolina will become at least the 22nd state with laws or executive orders banning state business with companies that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, or BDS, against Israel.