The state of Alabama has a long history of strong support for the state of Israel. In 1943, Alabama led the nation as the first, and possibly only, state in America to officially call for the establishment of the Jewish state and homeland. The unanimous joint resolution passed both state houses five years before Israel was reborn as a nation, urging both the United States and the United Nations to action. This call came in the midst of World War II, when the axis powers were not only waging world war against America and Europe, but also seeking the mass murder and systematic extermination of the Jews of Europe.
In the 70 years since that initial resolution, the state of Alabama has repeatedly sought to stand with Israel in times of aggression including official and public response - a unanimous joint resolution in 2002 urging support for the state of Israel after terror attacks, a proclamation from the governor in 2006 to stand with Israel, statements of support from Alabama state and congressional leaders in 2012, among other. In addition, state-to-state cooperation including sister cities, a cooperative trade agreement (1997), and a special 33rd anniversary celebration of the rebirth of the state of Israel hosted at the Alabama Governor's mansion in 1981 are but a glimpse of a deep commitment shared among the people of Alabama for the state of Israel and her people.
