The North Carolina State Legislature building. Image by wikimedia

(JTA) — The North Carolina state legislature passed a bill that would bar the state from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

The bill passed last week by both houses of the General Assembly has been sent to state Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature.

The bill, titled “Divestment from Companies That Boycott Israel,” passed the state House of Representatives by a vote of 96 to 19, and passed the state Senate by a vote of 45 to 3.

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The legislation required state institutions to stop contracts with companies that boycott Israeli companies or products made in Israel. The bill also prohibits future work with such companies.

North Carolina businesses conduct nearly $140 million per year in exports and commerce with Israel, according to the North Carolina Jewish Federation.

North Carolina will become at least the 22nd state with laws or executive orders banning state business with companies that support the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, or BDS, against Israel.

Among the states that have passed anti-BDS legislation in recent months are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

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