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MAGA Republicans led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) took a surprising turn as they denounced a House bill meant to protect Trump ally Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel from boycotts.
The bipartisan bill, HR 867, "would have amended the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 by criminalizing compliance with boycotts called for by international government organizations, such as the United Nations — with potential penalties including prison time," according to a new article on MSNBC.com.
"A vote on the bill had been set for Monday, but it was canceled by House GOP leadership after Greene and other MAGA Republicans — including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, both of Florida — denounced it," wrote MSNBC opinion writer Ja'han Jones.
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Greene posted to X her reason for opposing the bill: "It is my job to defend American’s rights to buy or boycott whomever they choose without the government harshly fining them or imprisoning them."
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote that he agreed with Greene and would also vote 'no' on the bill.
After word came down that the bill was being pulled from consideration, Massie wrote, "Apparently HR 867 has been pulled from the schedule for this week. Thank you for your vocal opposition on this platform. It was a ridiculous bill that our leadership should have never scheduled for a vote."
Jones cited a recent Pew Research survey that found "53% of Americans hold negative views of Israel — up from 42% about three years ago," before the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel's retaliation that has decimated Gaza.
In addition, Americans' opinion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also remains low at 32%, according to the survey conducted in March.
Jones concluded, "With that broadening discontent in mind, along with uncertainty over its passage, it’s easy to understand why the House bill was pulled."
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