Andrew M. Cuomo of New York ordered agencies under his control on Sunday to divest themselves of companies and organizations aligned with a Palestinian-backed boycott movement against Israel. Mr. Cuomo made his announcement in a speech at the Harvard Club in Manhattan to an audience including local Jewish leaders and lawmakers, describing the B.D.S. For his part, Mr. Cuomo has shown increased willingness in recent years to get involved in international issues, including a short trip to Israel in 2014 with a state delegation. Mr. Cuomo’s signed the executive order just before he marched in the Celebrate Israel parade in New York. “We cannot allow that to happen,” the governor said, adding that, “If you boycott against Israel, New York will boycott you.”Several states have moved to support Israel and prevent their governments and agencies from doing business with companies or individuals that endorse the boycotts.

Source: New York Times June 05, 2016 12:00 UTC