{
  "id": 5618098,
  "title": "US Congress passes bill punishing universities that boycott Israel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/us-congress-passes-bill-punishing-universities-that-boycott-israel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T18:34:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-congress-passes-bill-punishing-universities-boycott-israel"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Thursday, the US House of Representatives passed a Republican-led bill aimed at penalizing universities that boycott Israel or obstruct students from participating in exchange programs in Israel. The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act received 237 votes in favor and 169 against. This legislation would only apply to universities that are part of federal student aid programs. Additionally, it mandates institutions receiving federal funding for international study and foreign language programs to annually verify that they are not restricting students from participating in programs in Israel or students from Israel attending programs on their campuses.",
  "summary": "US Congress passes bill punishing universities that boycott Israel The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a Republican-led bill that aims to penalise universities that engage in boycotts of Israel or attempt to prevent students from participating in exchange programmes in Israel. The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act passed by 237 to 169 votes. The act would solely apply to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Groups urge US Congress to reconsider Israel defence ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/groups-urge-us-congress-to-reconsider-israel-defence-ties",
        "published": "2026-09-04T18:18:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "US Congress passes bill punishing universities that boycott Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/us-congress-passes-bill-punishing-universities-that-boycott-israel-5618099",
        "published": "2026-09-04T18:22:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}