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Montana committee hears sharply divided testimony on resolution affirming Israel's right to exist
Summary
Rep. Randy Gregg presented HJ9, a resolution affirming Israel's right to exist and condemning antisemitism; testimony split sharply — a proponent who described recent attacks in Gaza and multiple opponents who criticized Israel's conduct and warned the resolution conflates antisemitism with support for Israeli policy.
Representative Randy Gregg opened HJ9 by urging the committee to "support Israel's right to exist" and to condemn antisemitism and terrorist attacks. Gregg framed the resolution around historical memory and recent attacks, referencing visits to Yad Vashem and the October 7 attacks.
Proponent Jeff Laszloffy testified in support, describing his trips to Israel and asserting that groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah seek Israel's destruction. "Antisemitism has no place in the 21st century," he said, and urged passage.
A string of opponents testified that the resolution ignored allegations of Israeli human‑rights violations and could conflate criticism of Israeli government policy with antisemitism. Jane Clark said the resolution "does nothing substantial to condemn antisemitism in Montana" and criticized U.S. taxpayer support for Israel. Valerie Hellerman (HandsOn Global) said Israel should be held accountable to international law and described humanitarian consequences in Gaza; Joseph Walter, speaking as a Jewish Montanan, said the resolution "does nothing substantial to condemn antisemitism in Montana" and that conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism can endanger Jewish safety. Several other opponents urged acknowledgement of Palestinian suffering and called for a two‑state solution or other measures.
During questioning, committee members probed the sponsors and witnesses on the resolution's scope and intent. Sponsor Gregg and backers repeatedly returned the focus to condemning antisemitism and terrorism while opponents emphasized the resolution's silence on alleged violations and local manifestations of extremism. Representative Staffman, a cosponsor, said the resolution was not intended to resolve the larger Israel‑Palestine conflict but to state that Israel has a right to exist and to condemn terrorism and antisemitism.
The hearing captured a wide array of strongly held and conflicting views; the record shows vocal public testimony on both sides and extended committee questioning. The committee closed the hearing on HJ9 without a recorded vote in that session.
