Press Release

Standing Stronger with Israel a Year After the October 7 Attacks

ALEC reflects upon our steadfast support for Israel on the first anniversary of Hamas' brutal October 7 assault.

Arlington, VA – Today ALEC solemnly marks the first anniversary of the savage October 7 Hamas attack that resulted in more Jews killed in a single day than at any time since the Holocaust and the abduction of more than 240 innocent children, women and men 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza.

“As Israel stands as America’s most reliable ally in a volatile region, it deserves nothing less than our unwavering support and deepest respect,” said ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson. “ALEC continues to keep the Israeli people in our prayers as they celebrate the High Holidays, with hopes that this year will bring peace, security, and the safe return of those still held hostage by Hamas.”

ALEC support for Israel during this traumatic and difficult year has not only remained unwavering but has grown. Within three weeks of Hamas’ attack, ALEC adopted the Resolution to Affirm Support for Israel and to Condemn Hamas and began collecting lawmaker signatures on an ALEC joint letter of support for Israel. To date, the letter has more than 250 signers representing 43 states.

Additionally, ALEC published several articles on anti-Semitic incidents at American universities and adopted the Act to Prohibit Anti-Semitism in State K-20 Educational Institutions which protects Jewish students without inhibiting free expression. ALEC model policies now also include the Act to Adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Anti-Semitism, and our most recent national conference included a plenary panel discussing Israel and anti-Semitism in the US – watch the presentation here.

“In the immediate aftermath of 10/7, the world recognized Hamas’ brutality for what it was – a massacre of Israeli civilians. However, within days of the assault, the global Zeitgeist shifted to seeing Israel, the victim of this vicious assault as the problem and the perpetrators as “freedom fighters,”” said Karla Jones, ALEC Sr. Director for Federalism, Homeland Security and International Relations.

The most recent Iranian aerial bombardment was in retaliation for Israel’s systematic neutralization of Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon including the elimination of its chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who led the Shi’ite terrorist organization for more than 30 years. Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel since October 8, 2023 forcing 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes.

“Last Saturday, Israel eliminated Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s brutal terrorist leader. Then, in an unprecedented development, Iran directly launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this week. Israel remains at war with forces of evil who will stop at nothing to fulfill their goal to annihilate our trusted ally, the only true democracy in the Middle East,” said ALEC Board Member and Texas State Senator Phil King.  “As we remember those who were brutally slaughtered on October 7th, I ask that you stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. And let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

Israel’s ground incursions into Lebanon resulted in the discovery of the Conquer the Galilee plans to carry out an October 7-type of attack on communities in the Galilee. This find underscores why Israel must be permitted to act decisively and unilaterally in defense of its citizens.

“Anti-Semitic incidents have increased 360% since October 7 with the problem especially acute on college campuses. The pervasive feeling of estrangement among many in the Jewish community as popular sympathy has migrated to those who unleashed the terror on October 7 has been a common theme at synagogues across the nation as Jews celebrated the first post-10/7 Rosh Hashanah last week,” concluded Jones.