MADISON, Wisconsin (Press Release) – Wisconson Governor Scott Walker issued Executive Order #261 Friday prohibiting state agencies from contracting with any business entity that discriminates against Israel. The executive order was issued as Governor Walker leads a 15-member trade delegation to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The trade mission runs through November 2.
“We stand firmly against discrimination in any form and we wholly support our friends in Israel,” said Governor Walker. “I look forward to leading a trade delegation to Israel to foster new trade partnerships between Wisconsin and Israeli businesses.”
Wisconsin and the State of Israel enjoy a robust trading relationship, with Wisconsin exporting over $80 million annually to Israel and importing over $200 million annually from Israel.
In addition, Governor Walker supports a bill co-authored by Senator Leah Vukmir (R – Brookfield) and Representative Dale Kooyenga (R – Brookfield) which would prohibit any entity in state government or local government from adopting a rule, ordinance, policy, or procedure that involves the entity in a boycott of Israel, or a boycott of a person doing business in Israel or in a territory under Israeli jurisdiction. The bill also requires that state contracts for materials, supplies, equipment, and services include a provision that the vendor is not currently participating in and will not participate in a boycott of Israel during the contract. (Senate Bill 450 and Assembly Bill 553)
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Preceding provided by Governor Walker’s office
StandWithUs commends Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker for reaffirming his state’s support for Israel and issuing an executive order prohibiting discriminatory boycotts of Israel in state contracting. With this order Wisconsin becomes the 24th state to block commerce with companies that engage in the anti-Israel boycott movement.
Upon issuing Executive Order #261, the Governor made clear that such an order protects both a valued trade partner and Wisconsin. As it prohibits state agencies from contracting with any business entity that discriminates against Israel. “We stand firmly against discrimination in any form and we wholly support our friends in Israel,” said Governor Walker. “I look forward to leading a trade delegation to Israel to foster new trade partnerships between Wisconsin and Israeli businesses.” Wisconsin and the State of Israel enjoy a robust trading relationship, with Wisconsin exporting over $80 million annually to Israel and importing over $200 million annually from Israel.
In 2016, Peggy Shapiro, StandWithUs Midwest Executive Director, met with Walker’s staff and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch to discuss the threats that economic warfare poses to both Israel and Wisconsin. “Both the Governor and Lt. Governor recognized that boycotts based on religion, national origin, ethnicity or place of residence are discriminatory and pose a danger to their state economies and policies. They were eager to protect Wisconsin from losing business and jobs. They also understood that bigotry, which is at the core of anti-Israel economic warfare, undermines their state policy, and that Wisconsin tax payers should not become de facto participants in discrimination.”
StandWithUs is grateful to its partners in Wisconsin for their amazing efforts.