Heated testimony at committee hearing on resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist and condemning antisemitism

Representative Randy Gregg opened a hearing on House Joint Resolution 9, a resolution that would "support Israel's right to exist, condemn all forms of antisemitism, and condemn terrorist attacks on the people of Israel," citing trips to Yad Vashem and recent terrorist attacks in October 2023.

Proponents: Jeff Laszloffy, a frequent advocate for Israel, told the committee he "supports HJ9" and said chants such as "from the river to the sea" signal calls for the removal of Jews from the entire territory of Israel. He described attacks on October 7 and rocket fire at Israeli civilians and urged the committee to adopt the resolution.

Opponents: Multiple speakers opposed the resolution or offered qualified support. Jane Clark said she "condemn[s] all antisemitism" but argued the resolution ignores alleged violations of international law and the cost of U.S. support for the conflict. Other opponents, including Will Bolen and medical/NGO witnesses, described large-scale civilian harm in Gaza and urged the legislature not to adopt a one-sided statement; one witness said the resolution risks conflating anti-Zionism and antisemitism and could "make Jews like myself less safe." Others urged recognition of humanitarian and legal concerns.

Committee exchange and context: Committee members asked witnesses to clarify positions. Some opponents said they accepted the resolution’s narrow phrasing (condemning antisemitism and terrorist attacks) but objected to perceived omissions in the resolutions' language about civilian harm and territorial questions. Sponsor Gregg repeatedly said the resolution does not address borders or military tactics and is designed to condemn antisemitism and terrorism and affirm Israel's existence.

Why it matters: The hearing drew a wide range of testimony — religious and foreign-policy advocates, local religious leaders and residents, international aid-affiliated witnesses, and individuals who identified as Jewish and said they opposed the resolution because they believe it conflates Zionism with Jewish identity. The testimony included sharply different factual claims about casualty counts and policy assessments; those numbers were presented by witnesses and are not independently verified in this hearing record.

Ending: The sponsor urged the committee to pass the resolution as a straightforward statement against antisemitism and terrorism and in support of Israel's right to exist. The transcript records no committee vote at this hearing.