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Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) - Remembering Our Past, Shaping Our Future
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Special Presentation to the Governor (SJR27) - Brief Overview
Alabama Recognizes Jerusalem as the Eternal Undivided Capital of Israel
and Affirms U.S. Embassy Move in Historic Resolution
What: Honoring Alabama’s historic recognition of Jerusalem with special presentation and photos in the Governor's Office of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, with Alabama-Israel Task Force delegation and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Alabama recognized Jerusalem as the “eternal undivided capital” of Israel and affirmed the U.S. Embassy move in a historic joint resolution. It was the first state to formally do so, and it originated from the same legislative body that - over 75 years ago, in the midst of World War II - formally called for the recognition of the Jewish state and homeland through a unanimous joint resolution five years before Israel was reborn as a nation.
When: 9:30am Monday December 9th, 2019
Where: Alabama State Capitol, Office of the Governor, Montgomery, AL
Special Presentation to the Governor (SJR27) - The Record
Alabama State Capitol, Office of the Governor ~ 9:30am Monday December 9th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
Commemorative Presentation in Jerusalem (SJR27) - The Record
Israeli Knesset, Chagall State Hall ~ 12:30pm Wednesday November 6th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
Official Presentation in Montgomery (SJR27) - The Record
Alabama State Capital, Old House Chamber ~ 3:30pm Monday May 20th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
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Alabama’s Historic Recognition of Jerusalem
Alabama State Capitol, Office of the Governor ~ 9:30am Monday December 9th, 2019
An Alabama-Israel Task Force delegation met with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in Montgomery to honor and celebrate this year's historic resolution recognizing Jerusalem, and to say thank you with a special presentation including a letter from the Israeli Speaker of the Knesset (from the recent commemoration in Jerusalem), a commemorative plaque inscribed with the text of the resolution, an encased Israeli Flag and letter from the Israeli Consulate, and a small thank you gift with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself.
In 2019, carrying on a very special legacy, Alabama recognized Jerusalem as the “eternal undivided” capital of Israel and affirmed the U.S. Embassy move in a historic joint resolution regarding Jerusalem. Israel recognizes Jerusalem as its eternal undivided capital, and many of Israel’s closest friends and allies refer to Jerusalem often in the same way, but this is the first formal recognition that does so, and it originated from the same legislative body that - over 75 years ago, in the midst of World War II – formally called for the recognition of the Jewish state and homeland.
Among other, the 2019 resolution highlights Jerusalem has never been the capital of any other sovereign nation, Israel’s right under international law and custom to designate its own capital, Jerusalem’s imposed division and later reunification that made whole again the nation’s historic capital, and the overwhelming bipartisan support of the Jerusalem Embassy Act that has been encoded in U.S. law for over two decades that included Jerusalem’s recognition as capital and required the embassy move.
So the AITF delegation gathered in the Governor's Office of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, located one floor below the Old Alabama House and Old Alabama Senate Chambers where Alabama's historic resolution regarding Israel (SJR4) originated in 1943.
Governor Ivey - Thank you for your leadership and support for this historic joint resolution from your office, and for many years of tremendous support for a strong Alabama-Israel relationship.
AL SJR27 Presentation to the Governor - Letter from Israeli Speaker of the Knesset (PDF) • Letter from Israeli Consulate (PDF) • The Resolution (PDF) • Photo Album
Resolution Text (Act 66, SJR 27, 2019 Regular Session) - Typed (PDF) • Scanned (PDF) |
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Alabama State Capitol
600 Dexter Ave Montgomery, AL
The 1st Floor of the Alabama State Capitol includes the Office of the Governor and Old Supreme Court Chamber. The 2nd Floor includes the Old Alabama House Chamber and Old Alabama Senate Chamber where the official presentation of SJR27 occurred (regarding Jerusalem) and where SJR4 originated in 1943 (regarding Israel).
Entering the Alabama State Capitol for the special presentation to the Governor in her office December 9th, 2019 - (1) Capitol Main Steps to Front Entrance, (2) Capitol Front Entrance Doors, (3) Capitol Front Entrance Main Stair Hall |
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Alabama Office of the Governor
Alabama State Capitol (1st Floor),
600 Dexter Ave Montgomery, AL
The 1st Floor of the Alabama State Capitol includes the Office of the Governor where the special presentation to the Governor occurred. The 2nd Floor includes the Old Alabama House Chamber and Old Alabama Senate Chamber where the official presentation of SJR27 occurred (regarding Jerusalem) and where SJR4 originated in 1943 (regarding Israel).
Pictured: The Honorable Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; |
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COMMEMORATION, CELEBRATION, AND GRATITUDE
The SJR27 special presentation begins in the Governor's Office of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, located one floor below the Old Alabama House and Old Alabama Senate Chambers where Alabama's historic resolution regarding Israel (SJR4) originated in 1943.
An Alabama-Israel Task Force delegation met with Governor Kay Ivey in Montgomery to honor and celebrate this year's historic resolution recognizing Jerusalem, and to say thank you with a special presentation including a letter from the Israeli Speaker of the Knesset (from the recent commemoration in Jerusalem), a commemorative plaque inscribed with the text of the resolution, an encased Israeli Flag and letter from the Israeli Consulate, and a small thank you gift with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); Laura King, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama (JFHNA); Former Network Chair, Jewish Federations of North America; Caitlin Rath, Photographer; Larry Brook, Editor Southern Jewish Life Magazine; Editor Israel InSight Magazine; Dr. Gwen Bradley, State Leadership Daughters for Zion; State Leadership Christians United for Israel (CUFI); Regional Director, National Day of Prayer; Dr. Robert Somerville, Director Awareness Ministry; Member, National Religious Roundtable; Ben Holtzman (U.S. and Israeli Citizen), born in Alabama, lived in Israel, served in Israel Defense Forces (IDF); Pastor Patrick Penn, Advisory Board International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); State Leadership Christian Friends of Yad VaShem; Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; |
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THE PRESENTATION - LETTER FROM ISRAELI SPEAKER OF THE KNESSET
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey sent a personal letter to Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, to be read during the SJR27 commemorative presentation in Jerusalem, sharing her sentiments on that special occasion. It highlighted the state of Alabama’s recognition of Jerusalem (SJR27) being commemorated, recalled the Speaker's remarks from Jerusalem during a statewide Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala in 2017, and underscored her commitment to a strong state-to-state relationship.
Israeli Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein responded with a very special personal letter to Governor Ivey. It recognized Alabama's long history of support for the state of Israel, shared being personally moved when receiving an official copy of Alabama's Resolution regarding Jerusalem (SJR27), acknowledged its significance and importance, and conveyed deep appreciation on behalf of the Israeli Knesset (Israel's National Parliament) - for both the historic resolution and continuing efforts to strengthen the state-to-state relationship through partnership and practical cooperation.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF);
Commemorative Presentation in Jerusalem (SJR27)
Israeli Knesset, Chagall State Hall ~ 12:30pm Wednesday November 6th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML) |
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THE PRESENTATION - ISRAEL TO ALABAMA
The Letter from Israeli Speaker of the Knesset presented to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in the Office of the Governor at the Alabama State Capitol.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); |
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PERSONAL LETTER FROM ISRAELI SPEAKER OF THE KNESSET
AL SJR27 Presentation to the Governor - Letter from Israeli Speaker of the Knesset (PDF)
The Israeli Speaker's letter was in response to the following letter from the Alabama Governor read during the SJR27 commemorative presentation in Jerusalem.
PERSONAL LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR
AL SJR27 Presentation in Jerusalem - Letter from Governor (PDF) |
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THE PRESENTATION - COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
Commemorative plaque inscribed with the actual text of the historic resolution (SJR27) recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal undivided capital of Israel and affirming the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. The commemorative plaque was presented by the delegation to Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; Laura King, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); |
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THE PRESENTATION - DELEGATION TO THE GOVERNOR
Inscribed is the full text of the Alabama resolution (SJR27). Among other, the resolution highlights Jerusalem has never been the capital of any other sovereign nation, Israel’s right under international law and custom to designate its own capital, Jerusalem’s imposed division and later reunification that made whole again the nation’s historic capital, and the overwhelming bipartisan support of the Jerusalem Embassy Act that has been encoded in U.S. law for over two decades that included Jerusalem’s recognition as capital and required the embassy move.
The resolution concludes with:
“BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we do unequivocally recognize Jerusalem as the eternal undivided capital of Israel, and do fully affirm and celebrate the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.”
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That it is directed that 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.”
Pictured: Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama;
Resolution Text (Act 66, SJR 27, 2019 Regular Session) - Typed (PDF) • Scanned (PDF) |
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THE PRESENTAION - FLAG OF ISRAEL
Gift from the Israeli Consulate of an encased Israeli Flag was presented in commemoration of the historic resolution - leadership from Israel (Guy Gilady) brought it for the governor when here for the official presentation that occurred in the Old Senate Chambers. It was presented by Ben Holtzman (U.S. and Israeli Citizen), who was born in Dothan Alabama, lived in Israel many years, served in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and recently returned to Alabama.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; Ben Holtzman (U.S. and Israeli Citizen), born in Alabama, lived in Israel, served in Israel Defense Forces (IDF); |
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THE PRESENTATION - ISRAEL TO ALABAMA
The Flag of Israel from the Israeli Consulate presented to Governor Ivey in the Office of the Governor at the Alabama State Capitol.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; Ben Holtzman (U.S. and Israeli Citizen), born in Alabama, lived in Israel, served in Israel Defense Forces (IDF); |
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THE PRESENTATION - LETTER FROM THE ISRAELI CONSULATE
Israeli Consul General Lior Haiat sent a personal letter to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressing deep gratitude on behalf of the State of Israel for the strong and unequivocal support expressed through the historic resolution (SJR27). It also recalled and commended how when so many were silent, Alabama dared to speak - both in 1943 (regarding Israel) and now again in 2019 (regarding Jerusalem).
We hosted Israeli Consul General Lior Haiat for the Governor's Inauguration in January, and he was just appointed Spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (similar to the U.S. State Department). He moved to Jerusalem in late November, and we are deeply grateful for his devotion, many years of service, and diplomatic mission that included the state of Alabama.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); |
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THE PRESENTATION - ISRAEL TO ALABAMA
The Letter from Israeli Consulate presented to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in the Office of the Governor at the Alabama State Capitol. Also pictured here with the letter is the gift of the encased Israeli Flag also from the Israeli Consulate.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); |
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THE PRESENTATION - SPECIAL GIFT FROM THE LAND OF ISRAEL
A small thank you gift was presented with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself - actual dirt from the Holy Land, from the very place along the Jordan River where the biblical account records Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the Exodus. It was from the very place the descendents of Abraham returned to the land of their patriarch, fulfilling the extraordinary promise from many centuries earlier.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Pastor Patrick Penn, Advisory Board International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); State Leadership Christian Friends of Yad VaShem; Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; |
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PERSONAL, INSPIRATIONAL, BIBLICAL
Governor Ivey smiled warmly as Pastor Penn shared the personal note included on the bottom of the small glass bottle as a reminder - an inspirational scripture from the biblical account regarding Joshua and associated with that very place in the Land of Israel, which we hoped would encourage her in challenging times.
Gov Ivey
Joshua 1:9
AITF
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Pastor Patrick Penn, Advisory Board International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); State Leadership Christian Friends of Yad VaShem; Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; |
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BLESSING AND PRAYER
As the gift was presented Pastor Patrick Penn offered a blessing and prayer for Governor Ivey in her office at the Alabama State Capitol.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Pastor Patrick Penn, Advisory Board International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); State Leadership Christian Friends of Yad VaShem; Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); |
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THE WITNESS - TESTIMONY FROM THE LAND
The small thank you gift presented to the Alabama Governor with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself - actual dirt from the Holy Land, from the very place along the Jordan River where the biblical account records Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the Exodus. It was from the very place the descendents of Abraham returned to the land of their patriarch, fulfilling the extraordinary promise from many centuries earlier. On the bottom is inscribed an inspiring reminder and personal encouragement from scripture, "Joshua 1:9".
Pictured: Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; |
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ALABAMA GOVERNOR - AITF DELEGATION
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey with the AITF Delegation, together in her office at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. The delegation met with Governor Ivey to honor and celebrate this year's historic resolution recognizing Jerusalem, and to say thank you with a special presentation including a letter from the Israeli Speaker of the Knesset (from the recent commemoration in Jerusalem), a commemorative plaque inscribed with the text of the resolution, an encased Israeli Flag and letter from the Israeli Consulate, and a small thank you gift with very special meaning from the Land of Israel itself.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Dr. Robert Somerville, Director Awareness Ministry; Member, National Religious Roundtable; John Buhler, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); Pastor Patrick Penn, Advisory Board International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); State Leadership Christian Friends of Yad VaShem; Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama; Laura King, Co-Chair Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF); Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama (JFHNA); Former Network Chair, Jewish Federations of North America; Ben Holtzman, born in Alabama, lived in Israel, served in Israel Defense Forces (IDF); Dr Gwen Bradley, State Leadership Daughters for Zion; State Leadership Christians United for Israel (CUFI); Regional Director, National Day of Prayer; |
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GRATITUDE
Governor Ivey - Thank you for your leadership and support for this historic joint resolution from your office, and for many years of tremendous support for a strong Alabama-Israel relationship. Senator Orr, Senator Waggoner – Thank you for your leadership and for sponsoring and co-sponsoring this historic joint resolution in the Alabama Senate. Speaker McCutcheon, Representative Gaston, Representative Jones – Thank you for your leadership and support for this historic joint resolution in the Alabama House.
Pictured (Left-to-Right): Guy Gilady, Israeli Consulate; Senator Arthur Orr, Sponsor SJR27; Senator Jabo Waggoner, Co-Sponsor SJR27; Representative Mac McCutcheon, Speaker of the House; Together holding the joint resolution (SJR27) regarding Jerusalem in the Old Alabama Senate Chamber of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, the very place where the historic resolution regarding Israel (SJR4) originated from in 1943.
Resolution Text (Act 66, SJR 27, 2019 Regular Session) - Typed (PDF) • Scanned (PDF)
Official Presentation in Montgomery (SJR27) - The Record
Alabama State Capital, Old House Chamber ~ 3:30pm Monday May 20th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML) |
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THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
Commemorative plaque inscribed with the actual text of the historic resolution (SJR27) recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal undivided capital of Israel, and affirming the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. It was presented to the Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey.
Resolution Text (Act 66, SJR 27, 2019 Regular Session) - Typed (PDF) • Scanned (PDF) |
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Related Presentations (SJR27)
Alabama Capitol, Israeli Knesset, Alabama Governor
Official Presentation in Montgomery (SJR27)
Alabama State Capital, Old House Chamber ~ 3:30pm Monday May 20th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
Commemorative Presentation in Jerusalem (SJR27)
Israeli Knesset, Chagall State Hall ~ 12:30pm Wednesday November 6th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
Special Presentation to the Governor (SJR27)
Alabama State Capitol, Office of the Governor ~ 9:30am Monday December 9th, 2019
Overview - Summary/Links/Photos (HTML) • Photo Album (HTML)
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Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF)
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