Joel–
Some breaking news we’re going to be talking a lot about, I suspect: A Kansas Mennonite is suing the state over her right to participate in a boycott of Israeli goods.
The issue is complex, but here is the quick version: Kansas law, like laws in twenty-other states, prohibits the state from entering into contracts with individuals or companies that participate in the boycott of Israel. Koontz, who is a friend of mine and someone I respect very much, is an outstanding public school teacher in Wichita who also works as a teacher trainer. When she recently went to sign her contract to serve as a teacher trainer, she was confronted with a requirement that she sign off on a statement that she’s not participating in a boycott of Israel.
Above, Esther Koontz, who is bringing a case against the state of Kansas for its demand that she sign a pledge that she won’t participate in a boycott of Israel.
Esther Koontz can’t in good conscience do it. She’s a member of a Mennonite church, and her husband is a pastor. MCUSA decided at this summer’s convention to sell its assets in contested areas of Israel-Palestine. The United Church of Christ has made a similar move.
But the issue isn’t just Mennonites’ interest in peace and human rights. There is also the issue of free speech, which is the ACLU’s angle. Shares Esther:
“You don’t need to share my beliefs or agree with my decisions to understand that this law violates my free speech rights. The state should not be telling people what causes they can or can’t support….I’m disappointed that I can’t be a math trainer for the state of Kansas because of my political views about human rights across the globe.”
The central argument here is that the state can’t use its power to mandate that we engage in particular kinds of speech–or punish us for participating in others. It’s not hard to understand. We have the right to use our voices–and our voice includes our political support for BDS–without losing our ability to work for the state. We don’t have to sign loyalty oaths to the US–and certainly not to a foreign country.
The case, Koontz v. Watson, was reported in the Washington Post, and it will likely earn Esther–as well as her church–hate mail and accusations of anti-Semitism that will hurt them. I’d encourage our readers who support the right of individuals to exercise their religious conscience even through economic boycotts to write to your state representatives (especially if you are in Kansas); donate to the ACLU, which has taken up this case; and keep Esther, her family, her co-workers, and her church in your prayers.
And if you are in a similar position as Esther, consider how else you might be able to show solidarity with her.
Rebecca
PS. Kansas used to require that state employees sign a loyalty oath to the state, too. It was a bad idea then–and the courts called it unconstitutional. I’m hopeful we’ll see a similar outcome here.
606 
In the late ’60’s I was attending Wichita State University and paying my own way by working at Beachcraft in the night shift. They required us to sign a statement that says ‘I have not now nor have ever been a communist or member of the communist party.’ or words to that effect. Shortly after working there, I there the requirement was dropped. I think the Machinists’ union had challenged the practice. Anyway, I would like to believe that was the case.
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That was a result of McCarthyism and the old Red Scare which ruined the lives of some good Americans. A book “Ike and McCarthy” has just been published which very accurately, in my opinion, describes the relationship between the two and how Eisenhower helped bring him down. It’s also a classic on how a demagogue behaves and quite relevant given our current Presidential crisis.
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I had to sign an Oath to the Constitution of the US and of Kansas for employment 3.5 years ago.
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This has nothing to do with freedom of speech. She is free to express herself however she pleases. She cannot, however, participate in a boycott. That is economic activity, not speech. It is standard to have non-discrimination clauses in government contracts. Is that a violation of free speech? I think not. Can a person say racist or discriminatory things? Yes. Can they boycott African-American businessses and do business with the government, no. There is no principled difference.
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Money is speech. SCOTUS determined that in the horrible ruling on campaign finance laws. Therefore, the state is in the wrong. Citizens united is a horrible ruling in many ways, but ks is legally bound to take this action out of their contracts.
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They can demand that she not be allowed to boycott while in a direct position representation of the state. Or in other words, while she is at work for the state. During her time off work when she is not representing the state however, she is free to practice her first amendment however she pleases.
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Another government dictates Kansas hiring. I do not buy Israeli
products because Israel took land from Christians and gave it to immigrants. Their court ruled against Israel but it was ignored. oh well, I can’t work for a state that may not pay me or my retirement.
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Who would be great would be the Mennonite Conference turn from its abandonment of the Gospel of Christ, and turn to God for salvation. That is the biggest need. However, as long as the apostate element runs the MCUSA, it won’t happen. What needs to happen is truly born again Mennonites, publicly denounce the anti christ agenda of the MCUSA.
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[…] agnostic on the issue of Israel boycotts. The way Palestinians are treated is awful, and I have friends who have been touched by that […]
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