Archive · 5 Aug 2025
US Reverses Stance on Disaster Funds and Israel Boycott Policy
The U.S. government previously required states to promise they wouldn't boycott Israeli companies to get disaster relief money.
This policy was designed to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
The Trump administration has now changed its mind.
States can now get these funds without this requirement.
This policy change affects approximately $1.9 billion in funds used for emergency management and related expenses.
The Trump administration reversed a policy requiring states to reject boycotts of Israeli companies for disaster funds.
The initial policy targeted the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The requirement affected approximately $1.9 billion in federal funding.
The reversal was announced on Monday and the policy was removed from the website.
FEMA grants will be governed by existing law and policy, without political conditions.
- Who
- The Trump administration and DHS/FEMA.
- What
- The US government reversed the policy linking disaster funds to stances on boycotting Israeli companies.
- When
- The reversal was announced on Monday.
- Where
- The policy applies to US states.
- Why
- The initial policy aimed to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
Critics of the initial policy
Supporters of the initial policy
Policy Impact and Intent
Critics of the initial policy
Critics might question the intrusion of foreign policy considerations into domestic disaster relief efforts and its potential impact on states' autonomy and focus on their citizens.
Supporters of the initial policy
Supporters may have viewed the initial policy as a way to show support for Israel and counter the BDS movement.
- Policy Reversal
- Linking disaster funds to Israel boycott stance
- Affected Funding
- $1.9 billion
- Agency
- FEMA
- Target of Initial Policy
- BDS movement
- Policy Update
- Removed the anti-boycott language
Sources
US links $1.9 billion in state disaster funds to Israel boycott stance
Trump threatens he’ll not fund states for natural disasters if they boycott Israeli products
MAGA Mad After Trump Ties Disaster Funding For States To Israel Boycotts: 'Is This America First?'