MAGA Leaders Defend Americans' Right to Boycott Israel

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 04, 2025 at 8:01 PM EDT | Updated May 04, 2025 at 8:35 PM EDT


Prominent figures from within President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" or "MAGA" movement came out against the bipartisan IGO Anti-Boycott Act, House Resolution 867—saying it would criminalize boycotts and free speech against Israel. Newsweek reached out to Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, and Representative Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, who introduced the legislation, for comment.

Why It Matters

Critics of the H.R. 867 say the legislation goes against the right to free speech established in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Its supporters say it targets antisemitic actions, including boycotts of Israel. The bill has bipartisan support but also faces bipartisan opposition.

What To Know

According to the lawmakers who introduced the bill, Lawler and Gottheimer, H.R. 867 "amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to include international governmental organizations (IGOs) in existing anti-boycott laws." The congressmen said in a January press release that the change "targets harmful and inherently antisemitic" boycott efforts undertaken at IGOs while also "extending protections already in place for boycotts instigated by foreign countries." However, critics warn the bill threatens the constitutional rights of Americans.

The penalties under the legislation include civil penalties, criminal fines of up to $1 million and imprisonment of up to 20 years for supporting calls to boycott Israel. A number of prominent MAGA lawmakers said Sunday they plan to vote against the legislation. After the public backlash, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, who had opposed the bill on X, formerly Twitter, wrote that the vote was canceled. "I'm told we are no longer voting on this. It's been pulled," she wrote in an X post.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/maga-leaders-defend-americans-right-boycott-israel-2067909

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I hope MAGAtry becomes familiar with a new word

Schism

And I further hope the schism gets even more ‘rifty’ (my word, I think, as in ‘rift valley’).

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. "20 years for supporting calls to boycott". That violates free speech. Spending/not is also speech & protected. nt

[Balatro]

3. Why does Gotthiemer want to silence free speech in America?

I never liked him. This little "protect Israel from critics and burn the constitution" stunt he is pulling with Lawler demonstrates to me the need for him to be primaried into oblivion and sent out to pasture. Why do we let members like this skate?