Earlier this year, the Attorney General Alliance, in partnership with the National Association of Attorneys General, led a delegation of state AGs to Poland and Israel as part of the Ginsburg/Scalia Initiative. The delegation, led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, met with top leaders in Israel and gained deep insight into legal matters, major state policy issues, and the current state of antisemitism in the region and throughout the world.

This week, in response to the events in Israel, AGA and NAAG issued a joint statement after being contacted by the Israeli Embassy. Additionally, we have seen an outpouring of support for Israel from the state attorney general community, with so many posting on social media, making public statements, and participating in community events at home.

Several AGs issued formal press releases. Additionally, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson worked with other state leaders to light state capitols in blue to express support for Israel.

A bipartisan coalition of 14 state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, issued a joint statement, which is included below. Further, another coalition of 26 state attorneys general, led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, issued a joint statement, which is also included below.

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a bipartisan group of 13 attorneys general from Arizona, California, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia who released the following joint statement on the current situation in Israel and the attacks launched by Hamas:

“We are aghast and outraged at the wanton, calculated attacks on civilians going about their daily lives. The carnage, perpetrated by Hamas and its supporters, has directly led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives and horrific kidnappings. We grieve with our Israeli siblings and with the loved ones of all those innocent lives lost in Israel and Gaza because of this surprise attack. The targeting of civilians by Hamas as well as the thousands of rockets it has fired indiscriminately at civilian targets are acts that cannot be tolerated or rationalized. Violence and terror are not the ways to achieve a lasting and meaningful peace in this conflict. Only the rule of law, mutual respect and understanding can help all sides realize true security, freedom, justice, and peace.”

Led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, a group of 26 attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming in a joint statement following the terrorist attacks levied by Hamas against Israel:

"We are outraged by the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against Israel. Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization, decided to violate the laws of nations and nature in its bloody, pre-planned massacre of civilians.

Hamas murderers slaughtered hundreds of innocents—homebodies and concertgoers, Holocaust survivors and newborns. The dead are not just Israelis, but Americans and citizens of countries around the world. The images, videos, and stories still coming out since that raid are heartbreaking. Many of those videos and images were released by the perpetrators themselves. Kidnapping, torture, and rape violate the laws of all societies, of civilized states, and of war. Innocents both in Israel and in territory occupied by Hamas continue to pay the price for Hamas’s terrorist operations in Gaza and invaded Israeli territory. No sovereign nation can tolerate such terrorist operations within its borders.

We stand with Israel as it defends itself from this inexplicable and obscene violence. Israel’s remarkable resilience and restraint are exemplified by its longstanding commitment to minimizing civilian casualties while defending its people. We regret that Israel’s pursuit of justice and self-defense will cost lives. But responsibility for every life lost in this conflict can be laid at the feet of the cowardly Hamas leadership, residing in comfort in Doha, and their murderous servants. We pray for peace and safety for Israel and the rest of the Middle East."

Guam Attorney General Douglas Moylan reminded the public of price gouging laws in effect during times of emergency.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the his office has charged a Macoupin County man with allegedly possessing and disseminating child pornography and failing to register as a sex offender.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of two individuals on 22 total charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors.

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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led a 13-state coalition in filing an amicus brief in Triumph Foods v. Campbell.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case Career Colleges and Schools of Texas v. U.S. Department of Education, et al.

Airlines For America announced "October is National Disability Employment Awareness month as well as the 37^th anniversary of the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA). Throughout the month, U.S. airlines are affirming their progress in improving air travel accessibility for passengers with disabilities."