Republicans Withdraw Anti-Boycott Bill Targeting Israel Critics

A controversial bipartisan bill that would have imposed severe penalties for participating in boycotts of Israel was withdrawn from the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday following backlash from conservative lawmakers and influential figures aligned with former President Donald Trump.

The legislation, originally introduced in January by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), aimed to criminalize participation in boycotts of Israel initiated by international organizations. The bill proposed civil fines of up to $500,000 and criminal penalties reaching $1 million and up to 20 years in prison.

The proposal specifically targeted individuals and businesses that adhere to boycott lists compiled by groups such as the United Nations or the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for economic pressure on Israel over its treatment of Palestinians and continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

Despite support from some pro-Israel lawmakers, the bill met stiff resistance within Republican ranks. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a staunch Trump ally, criticized the legislation over the weekend, framing it as a violation of Americans’ First Amendment rights to political expression. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a libertarian-leaning conservative popular with the GOP base, echoed that opposition.

Prominent right-wing figures also weighed in. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon both warned against the bill, citing concerns about government overreach and growing unease with U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East—particularly regarding Israel and a potential conflict with Iran.

Supporters of the legislation argued it would bolster 2018 laws that banned participation in foreign-led boycotts against U.S. allies. They contend the bill was designed to protect American companies and workers from foreign pressure campaigns.

But critics warned the proposal infringed on free speech rights and signaled an alarming trend in using federal law to shield foreign governments from criticism.

The withdrawal of the bill comes amid a broader shift in Republican voter sentiment toward U.S. policy on Israel. The episode also highlights growing divisions within the Republican Party as it navigates the evolving foreign policy priorities of its base and the Trump administration.