US judge dismisses lawsuit against state's Israel boycott law
The judge said the plaintiff was not affected by Maryland's ban on the government contracting with supporters of boycotts of Israel, but she did not rule on the law's constitutionality.
A US judge dismissed a lawsuit on Monday that challenged a ban targeting entities that boycott Israel.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order in 2017 prohibiting the mid-Atlantic state from contracting with businesses that support boycotts of Israel. There are several academic, cultural and economic boycotts of the Jewish state over its treatment of Palestinians. The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement is the major player in Israel boycotts.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations sued the state on behalf of software engineer and former Maryland state legislator Saqib Ali, who argued his support of the boycotts barred him from obtaining government contracts. However, Judge Catherine Blake threw out his claim because he did not submit any bids to work for the state, The Associated Press reported.
The leading American Muslim organization also argued the ban is unconstitutional and restricts freedom of speech. The federal judge did not rule on the constitutionality on Monday, according to The AP.
