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Montana Judiciary committee approves resolution affirming support for Israel and condemning antisemitism amid heated public testimony
Summary
A House joint resolution (HJR 9) that reaffirms Montana's support for Israel and condemns antisemitism drew large, emotional turnout with advocates and opponents debating whether the resolution conflates state support with human‑rights concerns; the committee concurred in the resolution.
Representative Raymond Gregg introduced House Joint Resolution 9 as a statement reaffirming Montana’s support for Israel, condemning terrorism and rejecting antisemitism. Gregg told members the measure is not about contemporary politics but about standing against hatred and violence.
The hearing included forceful testimony on both sides. Representative Ed Staffman (appearing in his rabbinic capacity) described persistent antisemitic harassment in Montana and urged committee members to stand with Jewish communities; his remarks included personal anecdotes about threats and doxxing to synagogues.
Opponents argued the resolution conflates support for Israel’s government with the safety of Jewish Montanans and that the measure glosses over allegations of human‑rights abuses. Several opponents, including Frankie Freilich, Jane Clark and others, said they oppose the resolution as written and asked for changes to avoid endorsing a foreign government whose actions they characterized as violent or discriminatory.
Committee members questioned witnesses on historical and factual points and tried to balance concerns about antisemitic incidents at home with debate over Middle East policy. After extended testimony and follow‑up questions, the committee concurred in HJR 9.
What’s next: HJR 9 was passed out of committee; the sponsor suggested Senator Newman could carry the resolution to the Senate floor.
