The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would block federal funding for universities that boycott Israel, as Republicans push ahead with pro-Israel measures despite growing criticism of the Israeli government over the war in Gaza.
The Republican-led chamber voted 237-169 on Thursday in favour of the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act. The bill must now pass the Senate before it can become law.
The legislation targets universities that participate in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.
Republicans backing the bill said it was aimed at preventing discrimination against Israel and Jewish people, rather than restricting academic debate.
But some Democrats opposed the measure on free speech grounds. Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat who opposes BDS, said he voted against the bill because Americans' right to free expression must be protected.
The vote was largely split along party lines, with only two Republicans voting against the bill and 33 Democrats supporting it.
The legislation comes as tensions over the Gaza war continue to affect U.S. universities.
Pro-Palestinian protests and calls for boycotts have spread across campuses since Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. The Trump administration has responded by launching investigations into universities and threatening to suspend federal funding.
Republicans have accused some protesters of antisemitism and supporting extremism, allegations protesters reject, saying criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights should not be equated with antisemitism.
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