Abdallah Rahmy — HB 188

Summary

Testimony signed with the name Abdallah Rahmy stating strong opposition to HB 188. The testimony says the bill would funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into a foreign partnership with the State of Israel while Ohio communities face cuts to libraries, schools, healthcare, infrastructure and public services. It states that the legislation includes no clear benchmarks, performance reporting requirements or community input mechanisms, and says the bill creates a board of political appointees. It also states that the bill has no independent oversight and no competitive process, and urges a vote NO on HB 188.

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Full text

My name is Abdallah Rahmy, a resident of Brooklyn and I strongly oppose HB 188. This bill
would funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into a foreign partnership with the State of Israel. This
funding would be sent overseas at a time when Ohio communities are facing deep cuts to
libraries, schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and public services. As someone of Palestinian
descent who was born in Ohio, and who has spent their entire life in Ohio, I am shocked our
lawmakers would make such a proposal in this dire moment. I have serious concerns about this
bill’s lack of transparency, oversight, and return on investment for Ohio taxpayers. The
legislation includes no clear benchmarks, performance reporting requirements, or community
input mechanisms. The bill creates a board stacked with political appointees tied to pro-Israel
organizations, explicitly excluding Palestinian, Arab-American, Muslim, and neutral voices. It
contains no independent oversight, no competitive process, and no clear safeguards to ensure
accountability or public benefit.

This is not just about trade. This is about values. Israel is currently under international
investigation for crimes against humanity. A trade partnership now makes Ohio complicit.
I strongly believe Ohio’s resources should stay in Ohio, to build up the economy of our own
communities. Please stand for transparency, equity, and fiscal responsibility, and consider the
people of Ohio who elected you—not foreign lobbyists—and to vote NO on HB 188.

Sincerely,
Abdallah Rahmy


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