This month, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) signed into law HB-7736, “Anti-Discrimination in State Contracts,” an anti-BDS Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) Courtesy of http://www.governor.ri.gov/ law that law prohibits the State of Rhode Island from patronizing any business that refuses to business with another firm based upon national origin, effectively preventing Rhode Island’s tax payer money from supporting companies that boycott Israel. The bill, originally introduced by State Representative Mia Ackerman (D), passed Rhode Island’s legislature with massive majorities, 63-4 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. Israel and Rhode Island have a strong trade relationship, valued at 10 million dollars, which will be further protected by HB-7736. This new law is an important step in combatting BDS, and we commend Governor Raimondo for her principled stand against the anti-Semitic forces of BDS.