Fact Check: Texas required to pledge to Israel to receive hurricane relief

Fact-Check Article: "Texas Required to Pledge to Israel to Receive Hurricane Relief"

What We Know

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the city of Dickinson, Texas, implemented a requirement for residents seeking disaster relief funds to pledge not to boycott Israel. This stipulation was included in the grant application for repair funds, which stated that applicants must verify that they "do not boycott Israel" and will not do so during the term of the agreement (BBC). The requirement stems from a Texas state law, known as the Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) bill, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in May 2017. This law prohibits state contracts with entities that engage in boycotting Israel, which is defined as actions intended to "penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations specifically with Israel" (NPR, ACLU).

The ACLU has criticized this requirement as a violation of free speech rights under the First Amendment, arguing that it conditions public benefits on political beliefs (ACLU). The law has been contentious, with some state lawmakers expressing confusion over its application to individual aid applicants rather than businesses (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that Texas required a pledge to Israel for hurricane relief is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The BBC and NPR both report on the city's application process, which explicitly includes the anti-boycott clause. The ACLU's involvement highlights the legal implications of this requirement, emphasizing that it may infringe upon constitutional rights (ACLU).

The law itself, House Bill 89, was designed to prevent state funds from supporting entities that boycott Israel. However, its application in this context—requiring individuals to pledge not to boycott Israel to receive disaster relief—has been met with criticism and confusion, even from the bill's author, who stated that he was baffled by the city's interpretation (NPR). This raises questions about the law's intended scope and the legality of its application.

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with the BBC and NPR being established news organizations, while the ACLU is a well-respected civil liberties advocacy group. These sources provide a balanced view of the situation, presenting both the legal framework and the criticisms surrounding its implementation.

Conclusion

The claim that Texas required a pledge to Israel in order to receive hurricane relief is True. The city of Dickinson's application for disaster relief funds explicitly included a requirement that applicants certify they do not boycott Israel, in line with a Texas state law aimed at prohibiting such boycotts. This requirement has sparked significant legal and ethical debates regarding free speech and the appropriateness of linking political beliefs to the receipt of government aid.

Sources

1. Texas city requires Israel pledge for hurricane relief
2. Need Hurricane Aid? In One Texas City, If You Boycott ...
3. Texas City Tells People No Hurricane Harvey Aid Unless ...
4. Texas city required disaster relief aid applicants to sign ...
5. Texas City Tells People No Hurricane Harvey Aid Unless ...
6. Texas City Drops Israel Boycott Ban for Individuals But ...
7. Fact Check: Texas city requires Israel pledge for hurricane ...
8. If You're Boycotting Israel in This Texas Town, Then No ...