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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 6 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 6

Expressing solidarity with Israel in Israel's defense against terrorism 
                           in the Gaza Strip.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 6, 2009

 Mr. Vitter submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing solidarity with Israel in Israel's defense against terrorism 
                           in the Gaza Strip.

Whereas the state of Israel is the greatest ally of the United States in the 
        Middle East;
Whereas the Hamas terror organization's charter calls for the destruction of the 
        state of Israel;
Whereas Palestinian terrorists of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, 
        recently have fired hundreds of rockets at civilian targets in southern 
        Israel, ending a 6-month ceasefire with Israel, in declaration and in 
        deed;
Whereas, during the 6-month ``state of calm'', the Government of Israel allowed 
        the entry of approximately 17,000 truckloads of humanitarian aid 
        supplies into the Gaza Strip, while Palestinian terrorists launched 538 
        rockets and mortars into Israel;
Whereas the latest terrorist attacks on Israel took place only days after the 
        United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1850, which 
        unanimously declared support for the peace process between the 
        Palestinians and Israelis;
Whereas, since the most recent terrorist attacks and its military operation that 
        began on December 27, 2008, the Government of Israel has allowed the 
        entry of hundreds of truckloads of humanitarian aid supplies into the 
        Gaza Strip, in full coordination with donor Arab countries and 
        international aid organizations, including the Red Cross, out of respect 
        for human rights and human life and in an effort to minimize the 
        hardship and suffering of the Palestinian people;
Whereas the military operations of the Government of Israel constitute an effort 
        to defend the people of Israel, which is the Government's moral duty in 
        response to the unspeakable horrors of ongoing, indiscriminate 
        terrorism, and are aimed only at dimantling the terrorist 
        infrastructure; and
Whereas hundreds of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians tragically have 
        been killed on account of ongoing escalations of violence initiated by 
        Palestinian terrorist organizations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) stands in solidarity with the Government of Israel as 
        it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people;
            (2) remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense and 
        supports additional assistance from the United States to help 
        Israel defend itself;
            (3) condemns the end of the ceasefire by Hamas;
            (4) condemns the firing of rockets into civilian areas by 
        the terrorist groups of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad;
            (5) urges all Arab states to declare strong opposition to 
        terrorism and terrorist attacks on civilians;
            (6) urges all parties in the Middle East to pursue lasting 
        peace in the region; and
            (7) expresses its commitment to working to promote economic 
        relations, bilateral trade, and partnerships in technology and 
        alternative energy between the United States and Israel in 
        order to stimulate the economies of both the United States and 
        Israel in this time of crisis.
                                 <all>
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