I object to HB932 as introduced and request that it be amended to remove Article 10, “Virginia-Israel Advisory Board”, from code 30.1. The Virginia Israel Advisory board is a state agency that has no oversight, gets preferential treatment over other advisory boards and commissions, and represents the interests and agenda of a foreign government at the expense of Virginians. It should not exist, let alone be nestled in our legislature and receiving an office, staff and at least $342K this year alone from our tax dollars.

My name is Nancy Wein. I am co-chair of the Virginia Coalition for Human rights. I am here today to request an amendment to this legislation HB932 is basically the recodification of title 30 within the Code of Virginia. It calls for revision of the code, now designated to be designated as 30.1. I have no problem with that. However, what a wonderful opportunity to make a small amendment to this bill in order to correct something within our state government which needs to be fixed. And that is the removal of article 10 which establishes a state agency that never should have been established in the first place – a golden opportunity to fix something that’s been broken for a long time. Article 10 establishes the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, which serves essentially as a state taxpayer-funded chamber of commerce bringing Israeli companies to Virginia often at the expense of local companies. VIAB diverts millions of dollars each year in state, federal, and private grants towards Israeli corporations. It collaborates with state-funded entities like colleges and universities in projects designed to benefit Israel instead of Virginia students, residents or business. And many of these companies that are brought to Virginia, such as Elbit systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, are involved in providing arms which aid in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. So we see this as an opportunity for the state legislature to do the right thing. Prior to passing this legislation, let’s put in a simple amendment – remove article 10 from the code and free Virginians from the power of this long-standing blight on our state. Let’s dismantle VIAB and remove it from our state government. This is the right thing to do and this is the time to do it – quickly and surgically and in the spirit of good governance!

I am here to speak in opposition of HB932 - Specifically I am asking that HB932 is amended to remove article 10 - the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB). The inclusion of article 10, the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB) in the legislative code of Virginia shouldn’t just outrage the constituents, this should be a central focus of critical concern for all members of the General Assembly that work on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth that a foreign country was able to infiltrate the Virginia Government and exploit our resources to this extent. It is no secret that some of its leadership and board members served in the Israeli forces and were directly appointed by the Israeli government to increase Israel's presence in Virginia. It is also no secret that they are outrageously given staff and office literally in your midst. You all know that Advisory boards fall under the executive branch of government and get minimal if any funding. That includes the African American Advisory Board, the Latino Advisory yet Israel and its proxies were able to move it to the legislative branch. Israel was able to entrench itself so well that not only does it get hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars (specifically from our legislative budget!), it works outside of the VEDP unlike all other foreign governments. Unlike other foreign governments who do business with Virginia do so through the Virginia Economic Development Program Israel does it from within. Not enough time to to talk about their inflated numbers and lack of transparency I do not have time in this testimony to begin to talk about the inflated numbers they claim or the complete lack of transparency and accountability this foreign state agency enjoy at the expense of Virginians. Even if you are able to sit there and ignore 2.5 years of genocide that Israel is committing and 78 years of brutal colonization and occupation of Palestine, How can you in good conscience know that this blatant encroachment by a foreign government on Virginia’s political, economic, education systems exists and not only ignore it, but vote to fund it and further legitimize its infiltration? I ask you to amend HB932 to remove Article 10- the Virginia Israel Advisory Board. **P.S. The subcommittee only allowed 1 minute for all testimony combined for the bills. That in itself is undemocratic and undermines that serious narrative on so many important bills.

United Cherokee Indian deserve recognition stop playing with us .. our history speaks stop playing with us again you steady playing with us in our faces oblivious you folks need to step down from your position due to your actions ain’t working

My name George Craig and I live in Winchester,, VA. I am writing in favor of HB 8 and ask for your support and "yes" vote. It is important for Virginia to be prepared when there is an Article V convention called and to ensure the commissioner sent follow the limitation of their authority. Thank you.