U.S. State Legislatures to Address Israel-Hamas Conflict in Upcoming Sessions

Lawmakers prepare to introduce measures in response to the Oct. 7 attack, with a focus on condemning the attack, supporting Israel, and addressing related issues at universities.

• Most U.S. state legislatures will reconvene in January for the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked a war in Gaza and worldwide protests.
• Legislatures in at least eight states have already condemned the attacks, and more measures are expected to be introduced in the 2024 sessions.
• In the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 240 others hostage. Israel responded with attacks on Gaza, killing more than 19,000 and causing 1.9 million Palestinian residents to flee their homes.
• At least 59 Hamas- or Israel-related pieces of legislation have been introduced in state legislatures, most of which are resolutions condemning the attack and supporting Israel.
• Lawmakers are also weighing in on how to handle protests and Palestinian-oriented events at universities, some of which are accused of allowing antisemitism.

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