The US House of Representatives has passed a Republican‑backed bill that would block federal funding for universities engaging in boycotts of Israel, intensifying political battles over campus protests and the Gaza war. The measure, called the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, passed 237–169, with most Republicans supporting it and 33 Democrats crossing party lines to vote in favour.
The bill targets institutions involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. Supporters of the bill argue that universities receiving taxpayer money should not discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with a specific country. As Representative Josh Gottheimer put it, “If your university takes federal taxpayer dollars, it can’t discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with one country.”
Opponents, however, warn that the legislation risks chilling academic speech and could be used to suppress legitimate political expression. Representative Jerrold Nadler said the bill was the only way to ensure that speech he disagreed with would still be protected, highlighting concerns about free expression on campuses.
The vote comes amid deepening divisions in the US over Israel’s war in Gaza. Campus protests surged after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, with Republicans accusing demonstrators of antisemitism and extremism. Protesters reject those claims, arguing that advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning Gaza’s devastation should not be equated with hate speech.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. If passed, it would mark one of the most significant federal interventions in campus politics in recent years.