State Rep. Mark McBride. R-Moore, won passage of legislation that recognizes Israel as one of Oklahoma’s top trade partners and the nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East.

House Bill 3967 specifies that unless exempted by the secretary of state, the state of Oklahoma will not enter into contracts with companies that advocate boycotts, divestments or sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The state also will not adopt a policy that has the effect of inducing or requiring a person to boycott Israel or territories under its jurisdiction.

“Israel is Oklahoma’s twelfth largest trading partner and the United States’ No. 1 ally in the Middle East,” McBride said. “And yet we have people here in the state and nationally who would like to see Israel cease to exist as a nation. This is not only anti-business and anti-peace, but it is morally wrong.”

McBride said Oklahoma exported almost $104 million of commodities to Israel in 2019, up from almost $61 million in 2017. He said such trade represents a number of jobs in the state. Contracting with companies that refuse to deal with U.S. trade partners, such as Israel, or that make discriminatory decisions on the basis of national origin is risky and unsound trade practice.

He also said that U.S. policy opposes such boycotts and that Congress has concluded as a matter of national trade policy that cooperation with Israel materially benefits U.S. companies and improves American competitiveness.

McBride said as a Christian, he also personally believes Israel has a unique covenant relationship with God, and the Bible is clear: those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed.

HB 3967 is modeled after legislation adopted by 28 other states, including Kansas. The bill passed the House 75-20 and is now available to be considered by the Senate.