UPDATE: DHS Shuts Down Rumors of FEMA Funding Tied to Israel Support — Confirms No Political Litmus Test | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft

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UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a rare joint clarification today following growing speculation online and in some media outlets suggesting that disaster relief funding could be tied to support for Israel.

“There is NO FEMA requirement tied to Israel in any current NOFO. No states have lost funding, and no new conditions have been imposed,” according to Homeland Security X account.

“FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy and not political litmus tests. DHS will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism. Those who engage in racial discrimination should not receive a single dollar of federal funding.”

According to investigative reporter Natalie Winters, “White House official tells me DHS Guidance has been updated to show no Israel requirement. It still bars recipients from operating programs that benefit illegal immigrants.”

She added, “The section “Discriminatory prohibited boycott means refusing to deal, cutting commercial relations, or otherwise limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies or with companies doing business in or with Israel or authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of Israel to do business” has been removed.”

Initial report: The Trump administration has reportedly announced that any U.S. state or city participating in or supporting boycotts of Israel will be ineligible to receive key disaster preparedness funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This unprecedented policy affects at least $1.9 billion in critical aid used for search and rescue equipment, emergency management salaries, and disaster readiness infrastructure.

According to newly released FEMA grant terms reviewed by Reuters, local governments must certify that they will not engage in any commercial boycotts specifically targeting Israeli companies if they wish to remain eligible for federal support.

At least 34 states already have anti-BDS laws or policies, according to the University of Pennsylvania, but Trump’s policy would now tie federal disaster aid to compliance, ensuring accountability at the highest level.

The Jerusalem Post reported:

The Israel requirement takes aim at the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. The campaign’s supporters grew more vocal in 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel and Israel invaded Gaza in response.

“DHS will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism,” a spokesperson for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement.

The requirement is largely symbolic. At least 34 states already have anti-BDS laws or policies, according to a University of Pennsylvania law journal. The American Jewish Committee supports the Trump administration’s policy, said Holly Huffnagle, the group’s director of antisemitism policy. Under one of the grant notices posted on Friday, FEMA will require major cities to agree to the Israel policy to receive a cut of $553.5 million set aside to prevent terrorism in dense areas.

New York City is slated to receive $92.2 million from the program, the most of all the recipients. Allocations are based on the agency’s analysis of “relative risk of terrorism,” according to the notice.

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