South Dakota

Title: Require the use of certain geographic terminology in official materials of a state agency

Mandates that state agencies in South Dakota must use specific geographic terminology when referring to land adjacent to Jordan that Israel acquired in the 1967 Six-Day War. Specifically, agencies are permitted to use only the terms “Judea and Samaria,” “Judea,” or “Samaria” in their official government materials, which include administrative rules, briefings, communications, guidance, materials, press releases, and work product documents.

Explicitly prohibits the use of the term “West Bank” in these official contexts. This requirement does not apply to teaching or research materials created or used by postsecondary instructors who are state agency employees.

A “state agency” is broadly defined to encompass all boards, commissions, departments, divisions, institutions, and offices of state government.

Last update: State Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 3. SJ. 11

This anti-boycott executive order prohibits contracts with executive branch agencies unless contractors provide written certification that they have not engaged in boycotts of Israel related to the subject matter of the contract. Contractors that engage in such boycotts during the contract term may risk having their contracts terminated. The order provides an exception for companies with less than five employees and contracts under $100,000. 

HB 1206 is an anti-boycott bill that prohibits state investments in companies that “have economic prohibitions against Israel.” The bill calls for the creation of a blacklist of such scrutinized companies and requires the State Investment Council to divest from blacklisted companies. The bill amends South Dakota’s Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

HCR 1005 is a non-binding resolution that condemns boycotts for Palestinian rights, condemns academic boycotts of Israel, labels the boycott movement as damaging to peace, and affirms South Dakota’s support for Israel. The resolution falsely claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights are a vehicle for spreading antisemitism and have resulted in intimidation of Jewish students on college campuses. Making multiple references to the Old Testament in justifying state support for Israel, the resolution calls on Congress and the president to condemn BDS and respond to “hostile actions against Israel by all means necessary.” 

Affirming South Dakota’s support for Israel, including its occupation of the West Bank, this non-binding resolution targets efforts to seek accountability via the United Nations for Israel’s ongoing violations of international law. It calls for opposing UN Security Council Resolution 2334 “by all means necessary” for contributing to BDS efforts and for making “direct negotiations more, not less, challenging.” UN Security Council Resolution 2334 reaffirmed that Israel’s illegal settlements constitute a flagrant violation of international law. The US broke from its practice of blocking UN accountability measures focused on Israel and abstained rather than vetoing the resolution, causing consternation among pro-Israel groups. HCR 1014 falsely claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights are one of the main drivers of antisemitism and have resulted in intimidation of Jewish students. Making multiple references to the Old Testament in justifying state support for Israel, the resolution declares that “Israel has been granted her lands under and through the oldest recorded deed.” 

HCR 1017 is a non-binding resolution affirming South Dakota’s relationship with Israel and Israel’s right to exist. The resolution falsely claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights are one of the main drivers of antisemitism and have resulted in intimidation of Jewish students. Making multiple references to the Old Testament in justifying state support for Israel, the resolution declares that Israel “is neither an attacking force or an occupier of the lands of others.” 

HCR 6005 is a non-binding resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist and South Dakota’s relationship with Israel. One of its preambulatory clauses claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights are one of the main vehicles advocating the elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. Other preambulatory clauses insist that the West Bank and East Jerusalem belong to Israel and that God promised Israel its land in Genesis of the Old Testament. Earlier versions falsely claimed that boycotts for Palestinian rights are a primary driver of antisemitism and result in intimidation of Jewish college students. Related legislation: HCR 8004.

HCR 8004 is a non-binding resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist and South Dakota’s relationship with Israel. The resolution falsely claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights are one of the main drivers of antisemitism and have resulted in intimidation of Jewish students on college campuses. The resolution declares that Israel “is neither an attacking force or an occupier of the lands of others.” Related legislation: HCR 6005.