Bill Text: NJ SR90 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expresses support for State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas terrorist organization, additional aid for Iron Dome program, and permanent demilitarization of Hamas.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-22 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR90 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR90-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
Senator KEVIN J. O'TOOLE
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Singer
SYNOPSIS
Expresses support for State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas terrorist organization, additional aid for Iron Dome program, and permanent demilitarization of Hamas.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution expressing support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization, additional aid for the Iron Dome program, and the permanent demilitarization of Hamas.
Whereas, The loss of innocent life resulting from the Gaza conflict is tragic and both Israel and the Palestinian people, their futures tied together, deserve peace and security and a hopeful tomorrow free from fear and violence; and
Whereas, Israel continues to be invested in peace in the region, having withdrawn from both Gaza and Lebanon, while embracing treaties with Egypt and Jordan and cooperating on multiple levels with the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank; and
Whereas, Hamas, recognized by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization and whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel, does not share a similar investment in peace as evidenced by its engagement in recurring cycles of violence against Israel; and
Whereas, Since Israel's voluntary withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas and other terrorist groups have fired thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel causing innocent Israelis and Palestinians to live in fear, destruction of property, and death to many; and
Whereas, In June 2014, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas chose reconciliation with Hamas, as opposed to continuing the United States sponsored peace talks with Israel, thereby leading to a surge in terror against Israel by an emboldened Hamas; and
Whereas, Hamas has acknowledged responsibility for the kidnapping and deaths of three Israeli teenagers in an effort to spark a Palestinian uprising, which, in reality, was the root cause of the latest military confrontation and the deaths of innocents all in the name of winning back Hamas' diminished credibility among Palestinians, Arab countries, and the nations of the world; and
Whereas, Hamas has fired roughly 4,000 rockets into Israel during the summer of 2014 alone and constructed underground tunnels designed to enable terrorism and kidnapping within Israel; and
Whereas, Hamas, with the support of Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, and Qatar, the refuge and financial base of support for Hamas leaders, is believed to possess up to 10,000 rockets and other projectiles for the intended purpose of aggression rather than the defense of the citizens of Gaza; and
Whereas, In response to unprovoked Hamas rocket attacks into Israel, on July 8, 2014, Israel launched an air campaign directed at Hamas' cache of munitions and commenced a mission to destroy the underground tunnels Hamas constructed from Gaza into Israel for attacks against Israelis; and
Whereas, Hamas has diverted millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to the construction of terror tunnels rather than building schools, hospitals, and public facilities for impoverished Gazans; and
Whereas, Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human-shields by operating in neighborhoods, and storing weapons and planning battles in homes, schools, and hospitals; and
Whereas, Continuing to choose violence over peace, Hamas has rejected a number of ceasefires proposed by Egypt, supported by the Arab League and the Palestinian Authority, and accepted by Israel, and later violated several humanitarian ceasefires, showing that Hamas has no intention of ending hostilities in the region; and
Whereas, Hamas has shown through its aggression, infliction of suffering on people on both sides, and dedication to the destruction of Israel that for the sake of peace, Hamas needs to be disarmed; and
Whereas, At least two Americans serving with the Israel Defense Force have been killed fighting in Gaza and 30,000 Israelis spontaneously lined Jerusalem streets for the funeral procession of one of the Americans killed in battle; and
Whereas, The Iron Dome program, a joint venture of Israel and the United States Department of Defense, utilizes advanced detection and tracking radar systems to intercept incoming rocket attacks; and
Whereas, There can be no question that Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and that rocket strikes by Hamas represent a continuing threat to the nation's peace, security, and survival; and
Whereas, Hamas' continuing obsession with harming Israel prevents any hope of sustainable peace in the region and a prosperous nation in Palestine; and
Whereas, A strong New Jersey-Israel relationship has existed since the founding of the Jewish state in 1948, and the United States and Israel have benefitted mutually from being allies, vibrant democracies, and partners in collaborative ventures such as the Iron Dome, which has saved Israeli lives; and
Whereas, It is proper and fitting for this House to reaffirm its strong, longstanding support for Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorists; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization.
2. This House condemns the use of civilians as human shields, supports additional congressional action to support the funding of the Iron Dome, and calls for the demilitarization of Hamas in any peace negotiations.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, and the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization. This resolution also condemns the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas, supports additional United States aid to Israel for the maintenance of the Iron Dome program, and urges the permanent demilitarization of Hamas.
Israel continues to be invested in peace as innocent lives are lost in the current Gaza conflict. Both Israel and the Palestinian people, their futures tied together, deserve peace and security and a hopeful tomorrow free from fear and violence. In an attempt to achieve everlasting peace in the region, Israel has withdrawn from both Gaza and Lebanon, embraced treaties with Egypt and Jordan, and has cooperated on multiple levels with the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank.
In response to unprovoked Hamas rocket attacks into Israel, on July 8, 2014, Israel launched an air campaign directed at Hamas' cache of munitions and commenced a mission to destroy the underground tunnels Hamas constructed from Gaza to enable terrorism and kidnapping within Israel. Since Israel's voluntary withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel, has fired thousands of rockets into Israel, including 4,000 rocket attacks this summer alone. In addition, the kidnapping and deaths of three Israeli teenagers earlier this summer by Hamas contributed to the current escalation of violence in the region.
In a misguided attempt to gain credibility among Palestinians, Arab countries, and the nations of the world, Hamas has used Palestinian civilians as human-shields by operating in neighborhoods, and storing weapons and planning battles in homes, schools, and hospitals. Israel, on the other hand, has worked on establishing innovative defense systems with the ultimate goal of preserving human life. For example, the Iron Dome program, a joint venture of Israel and the United States Department of Defense, utilizes advanced detection and tracking radar systems to intercept incoming rocket attacks.
The United States and the European Union recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas, with the support of Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, and Qatar, the refuge and financial base of support for Hamas leaders, has amassed a stockpile of nearly 10,000 missiles and projectiles to use against Israel. Hamas has rejected a number of ceasefires supported by neighboring Arab nations and accepted by Israel. Hamas' continued obsession with harming Israel prevents any hope of sustainable peace in the region. Israel has an unquestionable right to defend itself in response to the campaign of terror by Hamas.
This House supports the State of Israel as it defends itself against continuing attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization, condemns the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas, supports additional United States aid to Israel for the maintenance of the Iron Dome program, and urges the permanent demilitarization of Hamas.
