Bill Text: NJ AR97 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports Israel's response to May 31, 2010 flotilla incident.
Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-21 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [AR97 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR97-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AMY H. HANDLIN
District 13 (Middlesex and Monmouth)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Assemblyman RALPH R. CAPUTO
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Wisniewski and Assemblywoman Voss
SYNOPSIS
Supports Israel's response to May 31, 2010 flotilla incident.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting Israel's response to the May 31, 2010 flotilla incident.
Whereas, On May 31, 2010, a flotilla of six ships attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza were intercepted by Israeli naval defense forces after numerous warnings from Israel and orders from the Israeli Navy to redirect toward Ashdod port; and
Whereas, Under Israeli policy, humanitarian aid to Gaza must come through Israel to be inspected by Israeli authorities for the presence of smuggled weapons bound for militants aiming to attack Israel; and
Whereas, While five of the ships were successfully and peacefully redirected to Ashdod, the sixth ship refused to be redirected and was boarded by Israeli naval defense troops; and
Whereas, When Israeli commandoes boarded the ship and were prepared to use riot dispersal paintball guns, if necessary, a few passengers grabbed guns carried by the Israeli commandoes and opened fire on them, prompting the Israeli commandoes to fire back in self-defense; and
Whereas, This very unfortunate event resulted in nine deaths and numerous injuries to both activists on board the ship and Israeli naval personnel; and
Whereas, Subsequently, Israeli defense forces unloaded the humanitarian cargo from the flotilla and transferred the aid to Gaza, as promised, but it was reported that Hamas has refused to accept the cargo; and
Whereas, The international reaction to the incident has the appearance of a rush to judgment against Israel, even though all of the facts concerning the incident have yet to be gathered; and
Whereas, While deeply saddened about the violence, injuries, and deaths suffered by passengers and Israelis that occurred aboard one of the ships, it is fitting and proper that we do not rush to judgment against Israel on this event, and that we instead allow all of the facts to be gathered and ascertained; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House supports Israel's response to the May 31, 2010 flotilla incident.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof shall be transmitted to the Association of Jewish Federations in New Jersey, and to each member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution supports Israel's response to May 31, 2010 flotilla incident. While deeply saddened about the violence, injuries, and deaths suffered by passengers and Israelis that occurred aboard one of the ships, it is fitting and proper that we do not rush to judgment against Israel on this event, and that we instead allow all of the facts to be gathered and ascertained.
