Texas Gov. Abbott threatens to pull San Marcos funding over Israel ceasefire resolution
The San Marcos City Council voted April 15 to advance a ceasefire resolution, with a formal vote scheduled for its May 6 meeting. That resolution includes support for ending U.S. military funding of Israel with federal and local tax dollars.
Abbott, in a letter sent to San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson on Tuesday, said there would be consequences if the resolution passes.
The letter states that no governmental entity in Texas 'may enter into a contract worth $100,000 or more unless it includes a 'written verification' that the contracting entity 'does not boycott Israel' and 'will not boycott Israel during the term of the contract.''
Abbott added that the city's proposed resolution 'seems calculated to violate this law by calling for San Marcos to limit its commercial relations with Israel.'
The city's resolution states more than $4.4 million in San Marcos residents' tax dollars went to Israel. Abbott rebutted that statement, calling it 'hard to believe.'
Abbott added that the resolution's call to reallocate those dollars away from Israel's military and toward essential domestic priorities are 'unacceptable' and a public expression of a desire to do what state law prohibits.
Despite Abbott's claims, San Marcos' resolution states that it's seeking to curb antisemitism rather than promote it. The resolution ends with the City Council condemning any 'anti-Palestinian, Islamophobic, antisemitic, and all xenophobic rhetoric and attacks.'
San Marcos officials declined to comment on Abbott's letter, saying they do not provide comment on items that are scheduled for consideration by the full City Council. They said the resolution is still expected to be considered at the May 6 council meeting.
San Marcos leaders plan to 'hold a discussion regarding a possible resolution calling for the immediate and permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine, an arms embargo on Israel, recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and the protection of constitutional rights for all people under national and international law."
Abbott categorized the resolution as 'pro-Hamas' and wrote that, by passing it, San Marcos would be violating state law and disrespecting a Texas ally.
'Israel is a stalwart ally of the United States and a friend to Texas,' Abbott wrote. 'I have repeatedly made clear that Texas will not tolerate antisemitism. Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies.'
House Bill 89, which prohibits government entities from conducting business with companies participating in, or planning to participate in, boycotts of Israel, became a Texas law in 2017.
Those government entities include political subdivisions like the city of San Marcos, Abbott wrote. He added that when subdivisions enter into grant agreements with his office, they are required to comply with all state laws, including laws prohibiting government support for boycotts of Israel.
Abbott wrote that his office is already reviewing its active grants with San Marcos to determine whether it has breached terms by falsely certifying compliance with state law. He added that if the city adopts the resolution, his office will not enter into any future grant agreements with the city and will immediately terminate its active grants.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Abbott threatens San Marcos funding over Israel ceasefire resolution
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