Opponent Testimony on HB 291 — Jay Qutiefan, American Muslims for Palestine – Columbus

Summary

Opponent testimony on HB 291 from Jay Qutiefan of American Muslims for Palestine – Columbus, addressed to Chairman Hoops, Vice Chair Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi and members of the committee. Qutiefan states opposition to House Bill 291 and argues that the bill prioritizes cyberwarfare research with Israel and enables the commission to solicit funds from private and foreign sources with no safeguards. The testimony names Anduril Industries and argues that the bill would make it easier for companies like it to receive state grants and partnerships. It urges the committee to reject HB 291 and vote no.

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Opponent Testimony on HB 291
Jay Qutiefan, President, American Muslims for Palestine – Columbus



Chairman Hoops, Vice Chair Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi, and Members of the
Committee:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong opposition to House Bill 291.
My name is Jay Qutiefan, and I am Co President of American Muslims for Palestine in
Columbus. I’m also a lifelong Ohio resident, a parent, and a proud Palestinian
American.

I come before you today deeply alarmed by the direction that this bill would take our
state in both economically and ethically.

HB 291 is not a trade bill. It is a policy vehicle for foreign influence and militarized tech
development. The bill’s language explicitly prioritizes cyberwarfare research with Israel,
a foreign government currently under investigation human rights violations and
genocide. It also enables the commission to solicit funds from private and foreign
sources with no safeguards, no ethical review, and no public transparency. That alone
should be disqualifying.

As a Palestinian American, I cannot remain silent while my state government considers
embedding partnerships with a foreign military apparatus known for surveillance
abuses, espionage, and repression. Israel has a documented history of misusing
technology — including spyware like Pegasus — to target U.S. officials, journalists, and
human rights advocates.

To allow this kind of collaboration on Ohio soil is to make Ohio complicit!

As an Ohioan, I want our technology and research investments to stay right here — to
benefit our communities, create local jobs, and support our economy. These resources
should not be handed over to foreign government or defense companies

What worries me even more is the timing. Ohio is about to host Anduril Industries, a
weapons manufacturer that builds battlefield drones, surveillance towers, and AI-
powered war tech — just south of Columbus. HB 291 would make it easier for
companies like Anduril to receive state grants, partnerships, and public legitimacy — all
without input from the people of Ohio.

If this bill passes, it would allow our universities and tech infrastructure to be pulled into
a global war economy. Ohio taxpayers could end up funding and developing weapons
used against civilians overseas, while our own schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods
go underfunded.

That’s not putting Ohio first. That’s putting Ohio up for sale.

I urge this committee to reject HB 291 — not just because it’s fiscally irresponsible, but
because it’s morally wrong. Do you want Ohio to be remembered as the state that
opened its doors to foreign militarization and privatized war tech?

Please vote no. Ohio’s future is in your hands.

Thank you.


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