Basu: Lawmakers should nix bill punishing boycotters of Israel

The Iowa Legislature is wading into muddy waters with a bill that calls for divesting state funds from companies that divest funds from Israel. SF2281 directs the state to withdraw any funds it has or administers, including the public employees’ retirement fund, from companies that boycott or divest from Israel. It was drafted in reaction to the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement that hopes to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to end the occupation and blockade and honor Palestinian rights. But it's purely academic, since no U.S. companies boycott Israel. And the bill had provoked so much controversy when introduced early last month that its sponsor asked for the vote to be deferred to give senators time to offer amendments. More than a month later, none has been offered. Des Moines Register