US House passes bill to block aid for universities boycotting Israel

Washington, United States. The US House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday that would block federal aid for universities that boycott Israel, in a largely party-line vote.

The “Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act” was approved 237-169 and must pass the Senate before it can become law.

Vote and legislative aims

The Republican-majority House approved the measure with 33 Democrats voting in favour and two Republicans voting against it.

The bill’s sponsors said it was intended to prevent the targeting of Israel and Judaism, rather than restrict academic speech or debate.

Gaza war and campus protests

The vote came amid growing Democratic criticism of the Israeli government over the war in Gaza. Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel during an October 7, 2023 attack, according to Israeli tallies.

Israeli attacks since then have killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The war has devastated much of the Palestinian enclave.

The conflict prompted protests and calls for boycotts on many US campuses. Republican President Donald Trump targeted colleges and universities with investigations and threats to suspend federal funding.

The administration and many congressional Republicans have alleged that protesters were antisemitic and supported extremism. Protesters have denied the allegations, saying advocacy for Palestinian rights and opposition to the devastation in Gaza should not be equated with antisemitism or support for extremism.

Democratic opposition

US Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, said before the vote that he opposed the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement but would vote against the legislation in support of Americans’ free-expression rights.

“It is the only way to ensure speech I do agree with is equally protected,” Nadler said.

The BDS movement seeks to isolate Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.