FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
StandWithUs Files Fourth Amicus Brief in Support of State Anti-BDS Legislation On September 6, 2019
Addressing the Antisemitic Nature of the BDS Campaign
(New Orleans, LA -- September 6, 2019) -- On September 6, 2019, the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department filed its latest amicus brief in support of anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) legislation enacted by the state of Texas and currently before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. The brief was written with the continued commitment and invaluable assistance of StandWithUs’ pro bono attorney network.
The brief, submitted with Agudath Israel of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, supports the decision of the Texas legislature to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to further discriminatory boycotts against Israel. Crucially, the brief draws the court's attention to the antisemitic (and thus, discriminatory) nature of the BDS campaign. It also emphasizes Texas’ clearly compelling interest in enacting such laws to eradicate discrimination against Jews, Israel and Israelis, in the same way the government may legislate to prevent discrimination against other protected groups of people.
This is the fourth amicus brief filed by StandWithUs. The non-profit organization also filed briefs in Arizona federal district court in February 2018 and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in November 2018 in support of a similar anti-BDS law enacted by Arizona, and in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2019 in support of anti-BDS legislation enacted by the state of Arkansas.
StandWithUs gives immeasurable thanks to its pro bono attorneys, Jonathan Rotter of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP and Aaron Stiefel and Avishai Don of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, for their tireless dedication to the fight against antisemitism, including the filing of this brief on behalf of StandWithUs.
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an eighteen year-old, international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Based in Los Angeles, the organization has 18 chapters and offices throughout the U.S., in Israel, the UK, Canada and Brazil.
For the last 6 years, SWU has consistently received the highest ratings from Charity Navigator (4 stars) and Guidestar (Platinum)
