Governor Abbott Meets With Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer, Sends Letter To Fellow Governors Urging St
Governor Greg Abbott today met with Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer in Dallas, where he thanked the Ambassador for Israel’s continued partnership with the State of Texas and assured him that the Lone Star State has and will continue to stand with the State of Israel against the global scourge of terrorism. During the meeting, Governor Abbott also discussed a letter he sent today to 49 other Governors urging them to establish or strengthen state-based sanctions against Iran.
In his letter, Governor Abbott emphasized that, despite the Obama administration's request, Texas is “absolutely committed” to maintaining its sanctions against Iran. Further, the governor stated that there is more Texas can and will do to ensure that the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism does not receive taxpayer-funded subsidies from the Lone Star State.
"Because the Iran Deal is fundamentally flawed and does not permanently dismantle Iran's nuclear capability, Texas will maintain its sanctions against Iran," Governor Abbott writes in the letter. "Furthermore, because the Obama administration has recklessly and unilaterally removed these critical sanctions, I have called on the Texas Legislature to strengthen the Iran sanctions that Texas already has in place. I write to urge your state to chart a similar path."
Additionally, Governor Abbott signed a letter today rejecting efforts to demonize and delegitimize Israel through the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. The letter reaffirms Texas' support for Israel and condemns the BDS movement as "incompatible with the values" of Texas and the United States.