ANAPOLIS, MARYLAND—On October 23, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an anti-BDS executive order (EO) which blocks boycotts of Israel. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement. Hogan’s order prohibits anyone from working with eh executive branch if they participate in BDS. Before any official business or contracts can take place, it must be stated that the agency or entity will not be participating in BDS while any contract with the executive branch is current.

“Israel is a robust democracy with many rights and freedoms that don’t exist in neighboring countries, or across much of the world,” said Hogan. “The shameful BDS movement seeks to undercut those rights and freedoms, using economic discrimination and fear, by boycotting Israeli companies and prohibiting them from doing business in the United States.

Hogan had also asked the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Board of Trustees to also act against any companies who participate in the BDS movement.

Unfortunately, the EO is written to mislead the public into thinking that it was created as an action against discrimination.