Title: Support for the State of Israel

Summary: Expressing support for the State of Israel, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, Hamas continues to reject the Quartet Principles, the set of three requirements laid out by the diplomatic entity composed of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia, and the United States, which are to accept previous Israeli Palestinian agreements, to renounce violence, and to recognize Israel s right to exist, and WHEREAS, innocent civilians are indiscriminately targeted by Hamas rocket attacks, and Hamas has killed hundreds of Israelis and dozens of Americans in rocket attacks and suicide bombings, and WHEREAS, since Israel s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas and other terrorist groups have fired thousands of rockets at Israel, and since June 2014, Hamas has fired approximately 3,500 rockets at Israel, and WHEREAS, Hamas s weapons arsenal includes approximately 12,000 rockets that vary in range, and WHEREAS, Hamas has also built a network of tunnels under Israel s borders through which the organization has attempted to carry out terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians, and WHEREAS, Iran has long provided material support to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including assistance that has enabled these terrorist organizations to produce longer-range rockets capable of striking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and WHEREAS, in order to help Israel defend itself, the United States Congress approved the fiscal year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 17, 2014, which provides $235 million to Israel for the research, development, and production of Iron Dome, and WHEREAS, during the most recent rocket attacks from Gaza, Iron Dome has successfully intercepted dozens of rockets that were launched against Israeli population centers, and WHEREAS, the United States and Israel have also cooperated on other missile defense projects, including David s Sling and the Arrow Weapon System, which are designed to thwart a diverse range of threats, including short-range missiles and rockets fired by non-state actors such as Hamas, and WHEREAS, million Israelis are currently living under the threat of rocket attacks from Gaza, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That the Florida Senate reaffirms its support for Israel s right to defend its citizens and to ensure the survival of the State of Israel and that the Florida Senate condemns the unprovoked rocket attacks aimed at Israel and calls on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket and other attacks against Israel. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Consulate General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico in Miami as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed in this resolution.