Long before the October 7 Hamas attack, American states, including South Dakota, were quietly enacting measures to discriminate against companies that oppose Israel for political reasons. Noem took the plunge on Jan. 14, 2020, just weeks before the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" would be announced.
At the time, Noem's signature on the EO made South Dakota the 28th state to enact a measure combatting Israeli boycotts, some of the others being Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
While surrounded by her apparent handlers as she swiped her pen in a signature gesture, Noem issued a statement about the EO indicating that she is fighting discrimination with more discrimination.
"Israel is one of our nation's closest allies, and their success is critical to American national security," Noem declared.
"Today, we reaffirm that South Dakota stands with Israel and will only contract with businesses who agree to fairly compete. Our state will not stand for any discrimination based on race or religion."
(Related: Kristi Noem is a useless governor when it comes to protecting her state's farmers from green tyranny.)
Support Israel, or else
According to the EO, South Dakota public agencies, authorities, commissions, departments and institutions are prohibited from engaging with any companies that participate in boycotts of Israel.
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Reports indicate that the order applies to companies or contractors with more than five employees that enter into a contract with South Dakota worth $100,000 or more.
The South Dakota House of Representatives, with the Senate concurrent, passed House Concurrent Resolution 1005 during the 2019 legislative session declaring opposition to and condemnation of the Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.
"For over a decade, the BDS movement has attempted to erode the confidence in Israel’s legitimacy by inflicting economic harm and limiting commercial relations through boycotts, divesting and imposing sanctions against Israel," complained Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota.
"I am grateful that Governor Noem is standing up to this ugly resurgence of anti-Semitism and unjust practice of discrimination against Jews, and for her continued support of Israel."
Stephen Rosenthal, chairman of South Dakotans for Israel, issued a statement of his own indicating that while South Dakota "has one of the smallest Jewish populations in the nation," the state's support for the nation of Israel "is unparalleled."
Numerous other pro-Israel religious groups and organizations issued statements of praise for Noem, lauding her for taking a stand "against anti-Israel bias and discrimination" by imposing and EO of bias and discrimination against companies that oppose economically supporting Israel.
"South Dakota's anti-BDS executive order will protect the financial interests of the state’s citizens by ensuring that state funds are shielded from the economic damage and discrimination caused by companies that engage in boycotts against Israel," celebrated Israeli-American Coalition (IAC) for Action executive director Joseph Sabag.
"This executive order carefully regulates commercial activity, and not the conduct of private speech. It is similar to many other anti-discrimination laws that protect, among other categories of people, women, racial minorities and LGBTQ individuals."
Just this past week, Noem signed legislation called HB 1076 that the media is referring to as an "historic anti-semitism bill."
"I am very proud to sign this historic bill to keep our Jewish people secure," Noem said in a statement. "I hope more states will follow our leadership."
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