The American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec), a potent pressure group, is orchestrating widespread state legislature endorsements of Israel’s assault on Gaza across the United States.
Alec is actively promoting a model resolution affirming “support for Israel’s right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas.” This resolution has been embraced by legislatures in at least eight states, including Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and North Dakota.
The resolution adopts Israel’s stance, accusing Hamas of using “civilians as human shields” and implicates Iran in providing logistical support to the group.
Some state legislatures have gone further, rejecting calls for a ceasefire in Israel’s offensive on Gaza, where over 11,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, with two-thirds of them women and children, according to the health ministry.
While state legislatures have limited direct impact on Washington’s Israel policy, Alec and affiliated groups have historically played a pivotal role in exerting political pressure by championing local legislation and resolutions in support of Israel. This includes measures to oppose the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Alec, funded by corporations but deeply connected to pro-Israel Christian evangelicals, introduced the model resolution after an emergency meeting two weeks ago. Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, close to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presented the case at the meeting.
Texas State Senator Phil King, a member of Alec’s board of directors, spearheaded a bill supporting Israel’s Gaza offensive, influencing Alec’s model resolution for other states.
Alec’s Chief Executive, Lisa Nelson, urged Americans to press their state legislatures to adopt the resolution, listing the states that have already done so.
The resolution’s wording varies across states but generally asserts Israel’s right to defend itself with overwhelming force. Alec is known for drafting laws in over 30 states to counter support for the BDS movement and seeking ways to limit criticism of Israel on US university campuses, under the guise of combating antisemitism.
