US DHS Makes Disaster Aid Conditional on Cities and States Not Boycotting Israel

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced new funding guidelines that deny disaster preparedness assistance to cities and states that participate in boycotts against Israeli companies. These policies, outlined in recent FEMA grant notices, require applicants to adhere to the DHS's terms established in April, explicitly banning participation in anti-Israel boycotts. This measure impacts at least $1.9 billion in federal aid. According to the DHS, any grant recipient engaging in discriminatory boycotts—such as refusing to engage with Israeli businesses or those operating in or with Israel—will be deemed ineligible for funding. The policy specifies that such boycotts include actions like refusing to do business or limiting commercial relations with Israeli entities. The affected funds include over $300 million designated for emergency management agencies across various jurisdictions to improve disaster response capabilities. Major cities seeking over a billion dollars aimed at counter-terrorism and disaster prevention must also comply with the anti-boycott rule. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that the department will enforce all anti-discrimination laws, including those...