U.S. House Passes Bill to Penalize Universities Boycotting Israel
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, a Republican-backed bill designed to penalize universities that participate in boycotts of Israel or restrict student exchanges with the country. The legislation passed with a vote of 237-169, seeing 33 Democrats join the Republican majority, while two Republicans opposed it. This measure targets institutions receiving federal funding, including those participating in federal student aid programs, by barring them from engaging in such boycotts. Additionally, universities receiving federal funding for international study would be required to annually certify that they do not prevent students from participating in programs in Israel. The bill's sponsors, including Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and Democrat Josh Gottheimer, argue it is a necessary step to combat antisemitism on college campuses and counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which they describe as seeking to destroy Israel... 
