Press Releases

Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 3106, the IGO Anti-Boycott Act. This would make statutory changes to the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to cover boycott efforts by international governmental organizations (IGOs), whereas the existing anti-boycott law can be interpreted to apply to boycotts by foreign countries. This measure would be particularly impactful in combatting the harmful and inherently antisemitic BDS efforts unfortunately present at IGOs around the world. The text of the bill can be viewed below.

"I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at preventing international governmental organizations from discriminating against our allies," said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).  "This has been spurred on by bad actors that have sought to embargo Israel using BDS, which is an absurd and anti-Semitic policy."

"This legislation will prohibit companies from providing information in support of BDS blacklists from the UN and EU, and discourage any IGO's from doing the same," concluded Congressman Lawler (NY-17). "After joining a bipartisan group of colleagues in Israel to celebrate its 75th Anniversary this past weekend, I am reminded of the importance of preserving Israel's standing, safety, and economy in the years to come."

“This new bipartisan legislation is a key step to counter anti-Israel bias in international organizations like the biased United Nations, which has a deep history of singling out the Jewish state. International governmental organizations should not be alienating Israel — it’s unacceptable,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Here in Congress, both Democrats and Republicans will continue working together to combat antisemitic efforts to isolate, delegitimize, and demonize our historic ally Israel.”

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester County.