Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-D-WF, Sag Harbor) today announced that he signed on as a co-sponsor to legislation which would prohibit New York State from contracting with any corporation or individual engaging in any economic boycott of the Nation of Israel, Assembly bill A.8220 sponsored by Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine.

Israel is an important strategic and economic ally of the United States of America. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is an orchestrated campaign designed to weaken and delegitimize the Nation of Israel through economic isolation. Assembly bill 8220 amends the State Finance Law and the Retirement and Social Security Law to prohibit New York State from contracting with any corporation or individual engaging in any economic boycott of the Nation of Israel, and prevents New York State’s pension fund from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

“This legislation sends a strong message that New York State does not tolerate any form of anti-Semitism,” said Thiele. “I am proud to join Assemblyman Lavine and several other of my Assembly colleagues in supporting this important measure.”

South Carolina was the first state to enact legislation to counter the BDS strategy. Illinois is expected to become the second state, and 18 other states have proposed similar legislation.