TEXAS — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to cut off state funding to San Marcos if the City Council passes a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

In a letter to San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson, Abbott said that “In Texas, no governmental entity may enter into a contract worth $100,000 or more unless it includes a ‘written verification’ that the contracting entity ‘does not boycott Israel’ and ‘will not boycott Israel during the term of the contract.’”

The San Marcos City Council voted to advance a ceasefire resolution on April 15, with a formal vote scheduled for their May 6 meeting.

Citing the right to a life free from violence for all, the resolution condemns the targeting of civilians in the Israel-Hamas war and the resolution seeks to “hold a discussion regarding a possible resolution calling for the immediate and permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine, an arms embargo on Israel, recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and the protection of constitutional rights for all people under national and international law.”

Abbott says in his letter the ceasefire resolution is claiming that approximately $4,434,675 in San Marcos resident taxes were sent to Israel, and it now seeks to redirect those funds from Israel’s military “towards essential domestic priorities.”

“Israel is a stalwart ally of the United States and a friend to Texas. I have repeatedly made clear that Texas will not tolerate antisemitism,” Abbott said in the letter.

In September 2017, House Bill 89 became a law in Texas. This bill prohibits government entities from conducting business with companies participating in, or planning to participate in, boycotts of Israel.

According to Abbott, a “‘governmental entity’ includes a political subdivision, like the City of San Marcos.”

“If the city council adopts this resolution, the Office of the Governor will not enter into any future grant agreements with the city and will act swiftly to terminate active grants for non-compliance,” Abbott said in the letter.

The full letter can be found below.