North Allegheny News

HARRISBURG – Reps. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), and Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) have introduced legislation aimed at reinforcing Pennsylvania's support for Israel. The proposed law would withhold state funds from any higher education institution that boycotts or divests from Israel. It also seeks to prevent the Pennsylvania State Treasury and Commonwealth pension funds from divesting holdings in 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 initiative follows a series of protests on U.S. college campuses earlier this year, which led some universities to consider divesting from Israel and companies that conduct business with the Israeli government.

The bill's language is consistent with Senate Bill 1260, which recently passed the Senate in a 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. This provision extends to the State Employees' Retirement Fund, the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund, and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Fund.

In terms of education funding, colleges and universities that boycott or divest from Israel would be denied Commonwealth funds. This applies to institutions within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, community colleges, state-related universities, and private universities receiving 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 stated. "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

jfrei@pahousegop.com

RepMihalek.com / Facebook.com/RepMihalek

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