Republicans decry boycotts on Israel

WASHINGTON — At a joint appearance Tuesday, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida condemned efforts to boycott Israel, and they defended state efforts to sever financial ties with those who do.

The two Republicans spoke at an event hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association and the Rule of Law Defense Fund, the association’s nonprofit “public policy” arm. Rutledge served as the association’s chairman from 2017-18.

Under a law passed in Arkansas two years ago, most entities seeking state contracts must certify that they’re not boycotting Israel and must pledge not to boycott Israel during the duration of the contract.

The Arkansas Times, with assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union, has challenged the statute — Act 710 of 2017 — arguing that it unconstitutionally infringes on free speech.

A federal district court rejected that argument. The issue is now before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

The Arkansas law says boycotts are “a tool of economic warfare that threaten the sovereignty and security of key allies and trade partners of the United States.”

The law claims that such boycotts amount to discrimination. That’s an argument Rutledge echoed during her appearance in Washington.

“When you boil all the water out … all we’re saying is, ‘We are not going to use taxpayer money to discriminate against the state of Israel,’” she added.

Supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement portray Israel as the oppressor, arguing that it has violated human rights and international law.

Rutledge predicted the 8th Circuit wouldn’t reach a decision in the case until sometime next year.