A controversial bill that would have penalized Americans for boycotting Israel was removed from the congressional voting schedule Monday following significant pushback from “America First” Republicans and conservative media personalities.

“I’m told we are no longer voting on this. It’s been pulled,” Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X, referring to the International Governmental Organization Anti-Boycott Act.

The bipartisan legislation, introduced in January by Republican Mike Lawler and Democrat Josh Gottheimer, would have imposed severe penalties on U.S. citizens, businesses, and organizations that supported boycotts against Israel. Consequences could include civil penalties, criminal fines up to $1 million, and imprisonment for up to 20 years.

The bill united unlikely allies, including free speech advocates and pro-Palestinian organizations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the legislation as a “threat” to “First Amendment free speech rights,” stating that “the right to boycott is an intrinsic part of the First Amendment and a cornerstone of American democracy.”

While progressive Democrats predictably opposed the measure, the resistance from within President Trump’s base was more surprising. Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk launched a campaign against the bill, arguing that “the right to speak freely is the birthright of all Americans.” Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon also voiced opposition.

This development reflects shifting attitudes toward Israel among conservatives. According to an April Pew poll, 53 percent of Americans now hold unfavorable views of Israel, up from 42 percent in March 2022. This sentiment change is particularly notable among younger Republicans, who are increasingly skeptical about foreign aid and prioritize free speech concerns.

Read more at Middle East Eye