(The Center Square) – Israeli diplomat Israel Bachar addressed lawmakers in the Arizona State Legislature on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Bachar is the representative to Israel for the Pacific Southwest region of the United States, but he did not address a full chamber, as many Democrats skipped out on attending the speech.
The Arizona Capitol Times reported that pro-Palestine protesters were joined by a few lawmakers and Common Defense to counter the event. There has been criticism of how Israel has responded to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, saying that the response in Gaza has been disproportionate, with many calling for a ceasefire.
In the beginning of his speech, he mentioned how Arizona and Israel have a special relationship due to the similar desert climate, leaving a lot of room to learn from each other on issues such as water policy.
“The desert cannot be separated from the Israeli identity,” Bachar said.
“Arizonans and Israelis not only share topography, we are both innovative and resourceful people with strong community and family values,” he added.
However, Bachar was extremely blunt about where Israel stands after the original attack.
“Hamas must be eradicated,” Bachar, who also operates a marketing consulting firm, said to applause.
“We need to free Gaza from Hamas once and for all,” he added.
His attendance was also to celebrate House Concurrent Resolution 2009, which affirmed the legislature’s support for the Middle Eastern nation.
Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, said the joint protocol session was meant to emphasize the important relationship between the state and Israel, as there is a significant Jewish community in Arizona.
“I think the most important part was toward the end where he said that ‘It always starts with the Jews, but it never ends with the Jews’ and I think that was telling having the [Holocaust] survivors who are here stand up and clap for that,” Hernandez told The Center Square.
House Speaker Ben Toma told The Center Square that the alliance is incredibly important.
“Israel is our friend. We need to stay close,” Toma said.
The speaker also referenced the increasing threat of antisemitism amid the war, both globally and in Arizona. Hernandez and Toma, along 15 other lawmakers, visited Israel last month.
“We can’t allow antisemitism to take over at all. Even in small ways, whenever it does pop up it needs to be stopped, it needs to be addressed, it needs to be called out,” he continued.
In January, the Anti-Defamation League estimated a 360% increase in “antisemitic incidents” in the U.S. after Oct. 7.
