Senate Bill 29: Texas Stands with Israel
Austin, TX –  Today, Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) made the following statement after the successful passage of Senate Bill 29 out of the Senate:

“I am pleased the Texas Senate has taken a stand against the effort to isolate Israel from the global community,” said Senator Creighton. “Israel is a valuable trade partner to Texas and an essential US ally.”

Senate Bill 29 prohibits state contracting with and investing in companies that boycott Israel. In addition to support from many coauthors, the bill also has the strong backing from Governor Greg Abbott, who launched this effort to end the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Texas, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

“Thank you Governor Abbot and Lieutenant Governor Patrick for your strong support of this legislation,” concluded Senator Creighton. “Texans are the people to take on this effort and to lead in ways that speak to the rest of the nation.”

Representative Phil King, who is carrying the House Companion bill, stated, “BDS is economic warfare against Israel. It’s national and ethnic discrimination, it’s anti-Semitic. Texas should not allow our tax dollars to be used against our friend and fourth largest trading partner.”

Seventeen states have adopted similar measures to prohibit their state from investing public money in companies that boycott Israel or to condemn the BDS movement. Texas state law currently restricts investment in Iran and Sudan to prevent public funds from going to organizations that support terrorism or genocide.

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Senator Brandon Creighton represents Senate District 4, which encompasses Chambers, Jefferson and parts of Montgomery, Harris and Galveston Counties.