(PIERRE, South Dakota, January 14, 2020) — StandWithUs applauds South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for signing an executive order prohibiting state offices, agencies, commissions, and departments from contracting with companies that engage in boycotts against Israel. The Executive Order is meant to protect taxpayer funds and state policy from companies which discriminate against Israel. It applies only to contracts of $100,000 or more.
South Dakota is the 28th state to either pass legislation of enact an executive order to counter the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes economic warfare against Israel, the only viable democracy in the Middle East and a reliable U.S. ally. The order does not impact any individual’s or company’s right to free speech.
Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs, an international Israel organization, commented, “When states stand up against anti-Israel bias and discrimination, it benefits the state’s economy, joint research projects with Israel in agriculture, science and environment,and says a firm “NO!” to the BDS movement which encourages antisemitism and discourages a peaceful negotiated solution between Israel and its neighbors.”
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has programs on five continents with chapters and offices throughout the U.S., in Israel, the UK, Canada and Brazil.
For the last 7 years, SWU has consistently received the highest possible ratings from Charity Navigator (4 stars) and Guidestar (Platinum).
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