Mon Aug 04 23:03:45 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The Trump administration reversed its policy requiring US cities and states to denounce boycotts of Israeli companies to receive disaster funds. The Department of Homeland Security removed the requirement, which had potentially affected $1.9 billion in FEMA grants. This shift comes after criticism of the policy as a political litmus test and a restriction on freedom of expression related to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.

## News Article:

**The Hindu: Trump Administration Backtracks on Israel Boycott Requirement for Disaster Relief Funding**

**WASHINGTON, August 5, 2025 (IST)** – In a surprising reversal, the Trump administration has rescinded its controversial policy mandating that U.S. cities and states actively rebuke boycotts of Israeli companies to be eligible for federal disaster relief funds. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quietly removed the policy from its website on Monday, August 4, 2025, effectively ending the requirement.

The previous policy, revealed in grant notices posted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last Friday, would have potentially affected access to approximately $1.9 billion in crucial funding for states, covering expenses such as search-and-rescue equipment, emergency management salaries, and backup power systems. The condition stipulated that states must not support what the agency termed a “discriminatory prohibited boycott,” defined as refusing to deal with “companies doing business in or with Israel.”

The move sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the administration of imposing a political litmus test and stifling freedom of expression related to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The BDS campaign aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories.

“FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy and not political litmus tests,” stated DHS Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin in a statement issued on Monday.

The new terms posted by FEMA now exclude the previous language regarding boycotts of Israeli companies. This reversal marks a significant shift for the Trump administration, which has previously taken steps to penalize institutions perceived as not aligning with its views on Israel and antisemitism.

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