Alabama, Israel, and Days to Remember as the Legacy Continues

The last three months have provided days worthy of remembrance as the legacy continues of Alabama’s history of strong support for the state of Israel.

February 12, 2016 - Alabama Passes Strong Unanimous Joint Resolution Denouncing BDS and Reaffirming Support for Israel

April 7, 2016 - Deputy Speaker of Israeli Knesset Addresses Special Joint Session of Alabama Legislature

April 9, 2016 - Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala: Honoring Leadership, Celebrating Friendship, Cultivating State-to-State Relationship

May 10, 2016 - Alabama Passes Legislation Bringing Deterrence and Consequence to the BDS Movement and those who Boycott Israel

With gratitude to God and to the many that were instrumental in each of these significant moments, we remember and celebrate their special part in continuing the history, testimony, and legacy of honor. These days have continued to tangibly build greater bridges and brotherhood - cultivating an even stronger and expanding state-to-state relationship between Alabama and Israel for the mutual benefit of our people.

In honor of these moments, there is a brief archive below of documents, photos, transcripts, and videos for reference or enjoyment – if interested and did not have personal opportunity to be present.

May Alabama continue to shine as a burning light, and stand strong with an unwavering clear voice, in these times when our friend and ally Israel is increasingly maligned, hated, mocked, and delegitimized.

Let us commit to the continued friendship, brotherhood, and strengthening of this special relationship in our generation - for the good of Alabama, Israel, the United States, and the family of nations.

Alabama Passes Strong Unanimous Joint Resolution Denouncing BDS Movement
and Affirming Support for Israel

February 12, 2016 (Montgomery, AL) - In 1943, 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 Jewish people, Alabama led the nation in an official call for the establishment of the Jewish state and homeland in Act 144, SJR 4, 1943 Regular Session, a unanimous joint resolution signed by the Governor June 10, 1943.

Carrying on that legacy, the Alabama legislature passed a unanimous joint resolution (Act 2, SJR 6, 2016 Regular Session) denouncing the BDS Movement and affirming support for the state of Israel sending a strong and clear message. Alabama State Senator Arthur Orr from Decatur sponsored the joint resolution and said, “The BDS movement has targeted the Jewish state for economic and political sanctions and with a dramatic increase of BDS activity now also reaching U.S. college campuses, our position must be clear. Alabama sends a strong message with SJR 6 denouncing the BDS Movement and affirming we stand with our closest ally in the Middle East.” Alabama House Speaker Pro Tem, Rep Victor Gaston of Mobile stated, “I am proud to have had a role in the House Rules Committee assisting with the now unanimous passing of this important Resolution. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement has no place in the State of Alabama as it harms the United States’ greatest ally and friend to Alabama, Israel.”

Reference Resolution Text Below or Here (PDF)(HTML)

Act 2, SJR 6, 2016 Regular Session - Resolution Text

DENOUNCING THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS (BDS) MOVEMENT.

WHEREAS, The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement is a global campaign that calls for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel; and

WHEREAS, Alabama and Israel share a commitment to deeply-held common values from the history of each shaped greatly through the influence of Biblical faith, in addition to many nationally shared values as the only democratic ally of the United States in the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, Alabama recognizes and support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State; and

WHEREAS, 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 Jewish people, Alabama led the nation in an official call for the establishment of the Jewish state and homeland in Act 144 (SJR4), 1943 Regular Session, a unanimous joint resolution signed by the Governor on June 10, 1943; and

WHEREAS, the resurgence of global anti-Semitism is currently at its highest point since the end of World War II; and

WHEREAS, anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric is growing louder and bolder with increasing international hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people, including international leaders publicly calling the Holocaust a myth, stating their intent to wipe Israel off the map and denying any historical Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, or the Holy Land; and

WHEREAS, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement seeks to further isolate and delegitimize Israel and Jewish people worldwide in an effort to cripple Israel through economic, cultural, and political pressure; and

WHEREAS, many founders and leaders of the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement deny Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and even advocate for the elimination of the Jewish state; and

WHEREAS, verbal attacks against the Jewish people and the demonizing of Israel and supporters of Israel foster intimidation and promotes violence, not only globally, but also in the State of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is concerned by anti-Israel activities in this state and other communities nationwide within certain university campuses, academic and professional associations, and the cultural sector; and

WHEREAS, attempts to delegitimize Israel's existence through an international campaign of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) is increasingly promoted on U.S. college and university campuses; and

WHEREAS, the dramatic increase in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement activities on college campuses around the country has resulted in increased animosity, intimidation, and violence on university campuses; and

WHEREAS, calls for academic boycotts against Israeli academic institutions have been condemned by many of our nation's largest academic associations, over 250 university presidents, and leading scholars as a violation of the bedrock principle of academic freedom; and

WHEREAS, Alabama's elected representatives who defend the inalienable right to free speech understand that the goals and activities of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement in this state are harmful to the State's relationships with Alabama's Jewish citizens, our friend and ally Israel and have a deleterious impact on the academic and educational environment; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we unequivocally denounce and reject the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement and any furtherance of this movement in this state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of the State of Alabama rejects any activities that contribute directly or indirectly to the delegitimization of the sovereignty of Israel as a Jewish State including, but not limited to, promotion of economic, cultural, and academic boycotts against Israel.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of the State of Alabama considers the international BDS Movement and its agenda inherently antithetical and deeply damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human rights for all peoples in the Middle East.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of the State of Alabama reaffirms its support for the State of Israel as a Jewish State, recognizes that the Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel, condemns all attacks on the people of Israel, supports Israel's right to engage in lawful acts of self-defense, opposes all attempts to economically and politically isolate Israel within the international arena, and opposes efforts to assault the legitimacy of Israel as the sovereign homeland of the Jewish people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That it is directed that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the Alabama Delegation to the United States Congress, to the Governors of all the United States of America, and to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., for transmission to all the proper authorities in the State of Israel.

Deputy Speaker Israeli Knesset Addresses Special Joint Session of Alabama Legislature - Overview (Photos, Transcript)

Cultivating State-to-State Relationship for the Mutual Benefit of Our People

April 7, 2016 (Montgomery, AL) - The Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset visiting Alabama provided an unprecedented opportunity, not only as Deputy Speaker of Israel's National Parliament (Israel's Legislative Body) but also the highest ranking leader from Israel to ever visit the state of Alabama. The Lt. Governor/President of the Senate and House Speaker reached out extending a formal invitation to address a Special Joint Session of the Alabama Legislature - the legislative body from which came the historic 1943 Resolution that led the nation in the call for the establishment of the Jewish state and homeland.

Special Joint Session - The Record
Overview - Invitations/Photos/Transcript (HTML)

Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala - Overview (Slides, Photos, Video)

Honoring Leadership, Celebrating Friendship, Cultivating State-to-State Relationship
for the Mutual Benefit of Our People

April 9, 2016 (Huntsville/Decatur, AL) - Special guests include the Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Hilik Bar from Jerusalem, the Founder of the Israel Leadership Institute (ILI) Eeki Elner from Sderot-Israel, with special commemoration honoring Israeli Consul General to the Southeast Ambassador Judith Shorer, and Israel Leadership Award recipients Dr. Richard Brooks, Pastor David Nelson, Senator Arthur Orr, and Representative and Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston.

Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala 2016 - The Record
Gala Overview - Slides/Links/Photos/Video (HTML) • Gala Photo Album (HTML) • Gala Video (HTML)

Alabama Passes Strong Legislation Bringing Deterrence and Consequence
to the BDS Movement and those who Boycott Israel

May 11, 2016 (Montgomery, AL) - Alabama has a long history and very special relationship with the state of Israel, so it is very appropriate for Alabama to carry on that legacy with a strong response to the BDS movement. In February, the Alabama legislature passed a unanimous joint resolution (Act 2, SJR 6, 2016 Regular Session) denouncing the BDS Movement and affirming support for the state of Israel sending a strong and clear message regarding where Alabama stands. It came as U.S. and state-level reaction continue to grow across the nation both denouncing BDS and reaffirming we stand with our closest ally in the Middle East.

Building on that strong foundation, the Alabama Legislature has now passed binding legislation (SB81) that would also provide deterrence and consequence for those embracing the BDS movement and seeking to isolate and delegitimize our closet ally in the Middle East. While the bill does not mention Israel by name, it would prohibit state and local governments from executing public contracts with entities that boycott jurisdiction with which we have open trade (e.g. Israel). It would ensure if you boycott our friend and ally Israel, the state of Alabama will not do business with you. The legislation passed unanimously in the Alabama Senate (4/7), and overwhelmingly (84-5) in the Alabama House (4/28), sending a deeply meaningful message and making Alabama’s position clear.

It is also worth noting the significant timing as SB81 passed the Alabama Legislature during the biblical week of Passover, so at a very special time indeed. In addition, it was the very week that marked the anniversary of the passage of the San Remo Resolution (some refer to as Israel’s Magna Carta). That resolution enshrined into international law the Balfour Declaration - which established national rights for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. The decision at San Remo was adopted by the victorious powers after World War I, later ratified by the United Nations, and remains valid to this day. After further review by the Governor’s office, he signed SB81 into law (Act 312, SB81, 2016 Regular Session) late afternoon Tuesday May 10th, on the very eve of the two-day memorial and celebration of Israel's Remembrance Day and Israel's Independence Day (Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut).

Alabama Senator Arthur Orr had introduced the bill and stated, “It is important that the State of Alabama continue in its tradition of supporting the State of Israel by refusing to do business with those companies who would boycott or divest themselves from our strongest ally in the Middle East.” The bill is one of the strongest in the nation, avoiding common loopholes and including municipalities (so local city, county, and state contracts). John Buhler, Alabama-Israel Task Force Co-Chair, one of many who advocated for the bill stated, “We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming bi-partisan support of this significant legislation, and for the many leaders and organizations that worked so closely together in this effort to help protect and strengthen the Alabama-Israel relationship for the mutual benefit of our people.”

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Press Release (PDF) - Reference SB81 Text (PDF)(HTML)