State Rep. Kristin Marcell | Pennsylvania 178th Legislative District
State Rep. Kristin Marcell | Pennsylvania 178th Legislative District
HARRISBURG – Reps. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), and Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) announced legislation that would reinforce the Commonwealth’s support for Israel by withholding state funds from any institution of higher learning that boycotts or divests from Israel. The proposal also seeks to prohibit holdings in the Pennsylvania State Treasury or Commonwealth pension funds from being divested from Israel.
“We cannot ignore the troubling and lawless developments on our college campuses,” said Mercuri. “University leaders must stand firm against misguided protests and not be swayed by pressures to divest from Israel. Our legislation ensures Pennsylvania funding demonstrates our support for Israel and stands with them as they protect their homeland against terrorism and antisemitism.”
The legislation follows some protests on college campuses across the United States earlier this year, which led universities to consider divesting from Israel and companies doing business with the Israeli government.
Language in the bill mirrors a similar measure passed by the Senate in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 41-7 vote. It prohibits any fund controlled by the state treasurer, including Pennsylvania's multibillion-dollar general fund, from being divested from Israel. It also impacts the State Employees' Retirement Fund, the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund, and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Fund.
Regarding education funding, colleges and universities that boycott or divest from Israel would be denied Commonwealth funds. This applies to schools within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, community colleges, four state-related universities, and private universities that receive state grants.
“The nation of Israel is a beacon of democracy in an otherwise volatile region of the world and the United States has always stood by its side out of sheer international responsibility to our allies,” Mihalek said. “The violent actions on Hamas’ part in 2023, just like any other unprovoked violence against a group of people based purely on ethnicity, race or religious belief, must never be validated. Opposing hatred and standing with Israel crosses party lines and political ideologies, and this legislation solidifies that position.”
Representative Natalie Mihalek
40th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
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