Baker signs onto anti-boycott effort

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Without any announcement, Governor Charlie Baker has officially joined with the Israel lobby that is campaigning here and around the country to block peace activists and some major church groups from putting economic pressure on Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians.

His aides confirm the governor last month signed a letter circulated among governors by the American Jewish Committee that denounces the movement trying to persuade corporations to boycott Israel. The letter, signed by 19 other governors, charges the boycott effort is a “virulent movement” that seeks to “demonize” and “de-legitimize” Israel.

Baker’s signature on the letter was no doubt heartening to backers of state legislation that would prohibit the state from contracting with any corporation that boycotted Israel. Eleven states have so far passed laws implementing the anti-boycott policy.

But it also raises the question of whether he would be within ethical bounds to accept a free trip for his planned junket to Israel if it were funded by Israeli government sources or other groups lobbying Beacon Hill get to anti-boycott legislation to his desk.

Baker’s senior adviser, Tim Buckley, would not comment on the issue, saying only that no decision on the funding has been made, other than that taxpayer money will not be used. The Globe reported last month that Combined Jewish Philanthropies funded a $25,000 travel bill for five Baker aides that was in part to help lay the groundwork for his trip.

Attorney General Maura Healey, who could be drawn into the boycott debate to review legal issues, took a free trip to Israel earlier this year, paid for by the Israeli government and American-Israel Friendship League. For years, legislators have also taken free trips paid for by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, which is lobbying for the anti-boycott legislation. A dozen senators and some spouses last fall got a tour of Israel just a few weeks after voting for a resolution against the boycott movement.