Cuomo Announces Economic Executive Order Against Groups That Align with BDS

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an executive order Sunday for the state to take a firm stand against anti-Israel boycotters.

Cuomo signed the order — rather than seek legislation — that orders state agencies to stop doing business with any group that aligns itself with the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

The governor announced the executive order moments before the annual Celebrate Israel Parade kicked off in Midtown, Manhattan.

Cuomo said the BDS movement wages an "economic attack" against Israel, and that New York and Israel have to both defend against a "common enemy."

"If you boycott against Israel, New York will boycott you," Cuomo said. "If you divert revenues from Israel, New York will divert revenues from you. If you sanction Israel, New York will sanction you."

Cuomo is the first governor in the country to sign an executive order denouncing the BDS movement, which Palestinian independence supporters began about a decade ago. BDS opponents say the movement is anti-Semitic.

In 2014, Cuomo visited Israel to show solidarity with the country following its month-long war with Hamas.

NY1 has reached out to BDS officials for comment.