Arthur Stark, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following statement:
We welcome the 26th state to enact legislation against the Boycott Divestment Campaign. Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed the Executive Order 2018-905 that bars awarding state contracts to companies that participate in efforts to boycott Israel. In the past fiscal year alone, Kentucky exported nearly $85 million worth of goods and services to Israel. The Governor reinforced this commitment by declaring, “the executive order makes it clear that Kentucky condemns the BDS movement and that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friend, Israel.”
The Conference of Presidents thanks Governor Bevin and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for its unequivocal rejection of the pernicious BDS campaign and its support and friendship for the State of Israel. As we have seen, the activities of anti-Israel groups are more extreme and aggressive than ever. Their advocates challenge Israel’s right to exits and often manifest blatant anti-Semitism. Every state should follow the lead of Kentucky and stand against intolerance, bigotry, racism, and anti-Semitism.
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