Circuit Court Upholds Law Preventing State of Arkansas from Doing Business With Companies That Boycott Israel

Current Events

On Thursday the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a law prohibiting the State of Arkansas and its public entities from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

In 2017 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 710.

The law generally prohibits public entities in Arkansas from contracting with or investing in businesses that boycott Israel.

The law applies to state government, state agencies, state boards and commissions, political subdivisions of the state, public retirement systems, and public colleges and universities.

As a result of the law, any state contract valued over $1,000 must contain a clause stating that the contractor will not boycott Israel.

Following Act 710’s passage, Arkansas Times and the ACLU sued, arguing that the law places an unconstitutional condition on government contracts and compels speech.

U.S. District Judge Brian Miller in Little Rock dismissed the lawsuit, but the case was appealed to the Eighth Circuit.

On Thursday the circuit court upheld the law as constitutional.

The decision said the law did not violate the First Amendment, noting that, “[Act 710] does not ban Arkansas Times from publicly criticizing Israel, or even protesting the statute itself. It only prohibits economic decisions that discriminate against Israel.”

You Can Read The Decision Here.

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U.S. Recognizes Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

Current Events,

Today President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Below is a statement from our friends at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) about this historic event:

Today is a historic day for the U.S.-Israel relationship. For the first time, the United States officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

AIPAC has always supported American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital city, and we commend President Trump’s momentous announcement and decision to initiate relocating the U.S. embassy there.

This recognition is a long-overdue step to implement U.S. law. The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 declared that Jerusalem “should remain an undivided city,” and “the United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem.” AIPAC strongly supported passage of that act, which Congress overwhelmingly adopted on a bipartisan basis.

Importantly, relocating the embassy to Jerusalem does not in any way prejudge the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, to include establishing two states for two peoples and resolving Palestinian claims to the eastern portion of the city and the disposition of holy places. Rather, this announcement acknowledges that Jerusalem will continue to be Israel’s capital as part of any conceivable final status agreement.

The Jewish people have maintained a constant presence in Jerusalem, their holiest city, for more than 3,000 years. Israel declared the city its capital following its reestablishment in 1948. When the United States ultimately relocates its embassy to Jerusalem, it will treat Israel as it does every other country with which we have diplomatic relations.

Today’s action by President Trump is an important, historic step for which we are grateful. We urge the president to quickly relocate our embassy to Israel’s capital.

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You Are Invited to ‘A Night to Honor Israel’

Current Events,

You are cordially invited to “A Night to Honor Israel” on Sunday, March 23, at 6:00pm at Agape Church in Little Rock.

“A Night to Honor Israel” is sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), founded by Pastor John Hagee. It is an event that has a proven track record of bringing Christians and Jews together to promote a genuine, brotherly love and providing an environment where Christians will come together to show solidarity for Israel and the Jewish people.

U.S. Senator John Boozman, Congressman Tim Griffin, and Ambassador Meir Shlomo are among the featured speakers. Several other elected officials have been invited and will attend.

Agape Church is located at 701 Napa Valley Drive in Little Rock. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information contact: Akaya Lee at (501) 225-0612 or email akaya.lee@agapecollege.com.

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