US DHS Removes Israel Boycott Condition from FEMA Disaster Funding

The Trump administration initially required states to certify that they would not boycott Israeli companies to qualify for certain FEMA disaster relief grants, a condition targeting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This policy affected billions in emergency preparedness and anti-terrorism funding, with states like New York set to receive significant portions. However, by early August 2025, the Department of Homeland Security removed the explicit anti-boycott language from FEMA grant conditions, stating that grants are awarded based on existing laws and not political tests, though it reaffirmed enforcement of anti-discrimination laws regarding BDS. Critics condemned the initial requirement as a politicization and weaponization of humanitarian aid, arguing it coerced states into political conformity and threatened local governments' autonomy. Supporters of the administration's stance consider the BDS movement antisemitic and thus subject to federal funding restrictions. The controversy highlights tensions between federal authority, political advocacy, and First Amendment rights concerning boycotts of Israel.