The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged the city of Dickinson, Texas to remove a provision requiring hurricane relief applicants to sign an oath promising that they will not boycott Israel in order to receive funding to rebuild their homes and businesses following the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. In a letter to the city’s mayor, ADL called the provision “misguided,” and said it “raises serious constitutional concerns.”

ADL issued the following statement:

We were deeply troubled to learn that the city of Dickinson, Texas is requiring applicants for hurricane relief to promise not to boycott Israel as a prerequisite for receiving aid. This requirement is misguided and constitutionally problematic, and reveals an unanticipated and unfortunate consequence of a well-intentioned state anti-BDS law that needs further consideration.

ADL is deeply engaged in opposing the boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign against Israel and believes that the founding goals of the BDS movement and many of the strategies employed in BDS campaigns are anti-Semitic. That is why we have worked to promote state resolutions opposing BDS, as well as judicious, constitutionally sound legislative initiatives at the federal level.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today it is the world’s leading organization combating anti-Semitism, exposing hate groups, training law enforcement on hate crimes, developing anti-bias curricula for students, countering cyber-hate and relentlessly pursuing equal rights for all.