October 23, 2017
Governor Larry Hogan today signed Executive Order 01.01.2017.25, prohibiting all executive branch agencies from entering into contracts or conducting official state business with any entity unless they certify that they will not engage in a boycott of Israel during the duration of the contract. The executive order further strengthens Maryland’s opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a discriminatory campaign designed to undermine global trade with Israel. Maryland has had a decades-long, fruitful relationship with Israel that was further cemented in 2016 when Governor Hogan led a delegation of state officials, business leaders, and Jewish community leaders on a cultural and economic development trade mission to the country.
“Israel is a robust democracy with many rights and freedoms that don’t exist in neighboring countries, or across much of the world,” said Governor Hogan. “The shameful BDS movement seeks to undercut those rights and freedoms, using economic discrimination and fear, by boycotting Israeli companies and prohibiting them from doing business in the United States.
“The goals of this movement run counter to the strong economic relationship that Maryland has sustained with our friends and partners in Israel. As long as I am governor of Maryland, there is no place in our state for boycotts and threats which seek to undermine sincere dialogue, compromise, and cooperation.”
The governor also publicly called on the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to take divestment action with regard to any companies that hold investments with entities who participate in the BDS movement.