U.S. Bill Threatening Prison Sentence for Israel Boycotts Withdrawn from Vote

May 9—A controversial bill that could have imposed fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 20 years on Americans supporting boycotts of Israel, as called for by international organizations, was withdrawn from its planned floor vote in the House of Representatives on May 5.

H.R. 867, known as the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, sought to expand the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018, which already prohibits support for “restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by any foreign country against other countries friendly to the United States or against any U.S. person.” The proposed expansion would have extended these restrictions to boycotts initiated by international governmental organizations (IGOs), such as the United Nations.

Notable Statements of Opposition:

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA): “I will be voting NO. It is my job to defend Americans’ rights to buy or boycott whomever they choose without the government harshly fining them or imprisoning them”.
• Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY): “Apparently H.R. 867 has been pulled from the schedule for this week. Thank you for your vocal opposition on this platform. It was a ridiculous bill that our leadership should have never scheduled for a vote”.

Although its planned floor vote was canceled, H.R. 867 remains in committee and could be reintroduced for consideration. The bill and similar restrictions on constitutionally protected free speech continue to receive strong support from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.