Last week, Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler, the Jewish Federation, and local Jewish leaders challenged the initiative on multiple grounds. In addition to insufficient signatures, they argued that Pennsylvania’s Prohibited Contracts Act of 2016 barred such boycott, divest, and sanction measures related to Israel.
Jeff Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We won on the legal basis that our lawyers had laid out,” though he regretted that the broader legal arguments were not heard, as they could have set important precedents.
Israel Boycott Ballot Question To Be Withdrawn : Implications of the Withdrawal
Had the ballot measure passed, it would have required Pittsburgh to terminate several existing contracts, including those for emergency responder medications, fuel for city vehicles, and electricity, all sourced from companies with ties to Israel. The city controller’s office had argued that the measure would have posed significant public safety risks and created legal liabilities.
