This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41688999
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Texas city requires Israel pledge for hurricane relief | Texas city requires Israel pledge for hurricane relief |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Texas city has required residents who are seeking government disaster relief funds in the wake of Hurricane Harvey to pledge not to boycott Israel. | A Texas city has required residents who are seeking government disaster relief funds in the wake of Hurricane Harvey to pledge not to boycott Israel. |
| The city of Dickinson, about 30 miles (48km) south of Houston, posted grant applications for anyone seeking money for repairs after the category 4 storm. | |
| Local officials say the pro-Israel clause is required under a Texas state law enacted earlier this year. | Local officials say the pro-Israel clause is required under a Texas state law enacted earlier this year. |
| The application has drawn a strong rebuke from free-speech activists. | The application has drawn a strong rebuke from free-speech activists. |
| In the four-page, recovery aid application posted on the city's website, a section reads: "By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement." | In the four-page, recovery aid application posted on the city's website, a section reads: "By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement." |
| The provision stems from a law barring the state from entering a contract with any firm unless it "does not boycott Israel" or take action "to penalise, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations specifically with Israel". | The provision stems from a law barring the state from entering a contract with any firm unless it "does not boycott Israel" or take action "to penalise, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations specifically with Israel". |
| The law, known as the Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) bill, was signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in May. | The law, known as the Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) bill, was signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in May. |
| It is unclear why the law applies to residents applying for disaster relief instead of businesses seeking contracts. | It is unclear why the law applies to residents applying for disaster relief instead of businesses seeking contracts. |
| "Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally," the governor said in a statement earlier this year. | "Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally," the governor said in a statement earlier this year. |
| The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticised the city for the requirement, saying it was "an egregious violation" of free speech rights under the First Amendment. | The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticised the city for the requirement, saying it was "an egregious violation" of free speech rights under the First Amendment. |
| "The First Amendment protects Americans' right to boycott, and the government cannot condition hurricane relief or any other public benefit on a commitment to refrain from protected political expression," said Andre Segura the legal director of ACLU's Texas chapter. | "The First Amendment protects Americans' right to boycott, and the government cannot condition hurricane relief or any other public benefit on a commitment to refrain from protected political expression," said Andre Segura the legal director of ACLU's Texas chapter. |
| Texas is not the only state to require this provision. The ACLU is suing on behalf of a public school teacher in Kansas over a similar anti-BDS law. | Texas is not the only state to require this provision. The ACLU is suing on behalf of a public school teacher in Kansas over a similar anti-BDS law. |
| Hurricane Harvey made landfall on 25 August, and was the first in a series of hurricanes to hit the Gulf of Mexico region. | Hurricane Harvey made landfall on 25 August, and was the first in a series of hurricanes to hit the Gulf of Mexico region. |
| Harvey has been blamed for 47 deaths, and the Texas governor has warned that clean-up efforts may cost up to $180bn (£136bn). | Harvey has been blamed for 47 deaths, and the Texas governor has warned that clean-up efforts may cost up to $180bn (£136bn). |