Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons On November 15th, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed an anti-BDS executive order into law, making the State of Kentucky the 26th state to enact a law against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. The executive order denounces the BDS movement for being discriminatory, highlights Kentucky’s strong trade relationship with Israel, and points out the fact that governors from all 50 states (and the mayor of DC) have signed a statement against the BDS movement. The executive order declares that governmental bodies are not allowed to enter into a contract with a contractor “unless the contract includes a representation by the contractor that the contractor is not currently engaged in, and will not for the duration of the contract engage in, the boycott of a person or an entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with which Kentucky can enjoy open trade.” Additionally, governmental bodies can terminate their contracts if they find that the contractor lied about their engagement with boycotts. Bevin signed the executive order at the Kentucky Capitol, with Israeli Ambassador Rom Dermer and Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States Judith Varnai Shorer in attendance. Upon signing the order, he said, “We will not allow state resources to benefit entities that intentionally engage in discriminatory practices to harm the sovereignty and economic prosperity of any ally nation. Today’s executive order makes it clear that Kentucky condemns the BDS movement and that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friend, Israel.” This is not the first time the state government has taken an anti-BDS stance. In 2016, the Kentucky House of Representatives adopted a resolution that declared their opposition to the BDS movement. Kentucky follows in the footsteps of other states, like Louisiana, Wisconsin, Maryland, and 22 others who have adopted anti-BDS legislation.