The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that designates products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as originating from “Israel.” This legislation, known as the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act,” solidifies a policy introduced by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2020. Critics argue that this undermines Palestinians’ UN-recognized territorial claims and champions Israel’s annexation efforts while targeting the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The bill passed with a vote of 231 to 189, receiving support from 16 Democrats, including some of the party’s most pro-Israel members. The legislation mandates that products from the occupied West Bank and Gaza no longer be labeled together but separately, erasing the recognition of their unified identity. Products would now read either “West Bank” or “Gaza” rather than “West Bank and Gaza.
Furthermore, the proposal stipulates that products from the majority of the occupied West Bank will be labeled as “Product of Israel” or “Made in Israel.” Critics warn that this legislation complicates efforts to support Palestinian rights by making it harder to boycott products from illegal Israeli settlements. Opponents, including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), condemned the bill as a step toward ethnic cleansing.
The International Court of Justice has deemed Israel’s occupation in Palestine as illegal, and based on this ruling, the UN voted in favor of a resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months. Advocates for Palestine say they are facing increasing challenges across the US, with the bill serving as a reminder of their uphill task.
