A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE THE STATE OF ISRAEL UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND COMMEND ISRAEL'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize the State of Israel as the country celebrates this important milestone; and

Whereas, the Jewish people established the sovereign and independent State of Israel on May 14, 1948, and the United States immediately recognized and established full diplomatic relations with Israel; and

Whereas, 2023 marks seventy-five years of the realization of the Zionist dream of the Jewish people regaining independence in their ancient homeland; and

Whereas, Israel is one of the smallest countries in the world, yet it is also one of the world leaders in technology and innovation as well as a world leader in the number of start-ups per capita; and

Whereas, Israel is also an "Impact Nation," harnessing its technological innovation for the greater good to address global challenges and goals, such as cultivating sustainable energy, water management, cyber security, and medical innovation; and

Whereas, 2023 also marks seventy-five years of robust relations between the United States and Israel, reflected in the relations between the State of South Carolina and Israel, a special relationship based on mutually-shared democratic values, common strategic interests, and moral bonds of friendship and mutual respect; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina supports the State of Israel and its right to defend itself against terror and any threat to its security; and

Whereas, Israel is an important contributor to South Carolina's economy, and vice versa, as exemplified by the trade recorded totaling over three hundred million dollars between South Carolina and Israel in 2022; and

Whereas, Israel is a great friend and ally of the United States in the Middle East, and the United States played a key role in establishing the historic Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco; and

Whereas, the deepening regional ties sparked by the Abraham Accords are creating further opportunities for expanding economic relations between South Carolina, the State of Israel, and other countries in the Middle East; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the relationship that the State of South Carolina has with the State of Israel.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize the State of Israel upon the occasion of its seventy-fifth anniversary and commend Israel's relationship with the State of South Carolina and the United States of America.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeastern United States.

----XX---