Standing with Israel against terrorism.

Standing with Israel against terrorism. Whereas on October 7, 2023, Hamas, an organization designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by air, land, and sea; Whereas this heinous assault took place just after the 50th anniversary of the multi-front 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel and while Israeli Jews were preparing to celebrate Simchat Torah; Whereas Hamas, which has long been supported by Iran, launched thousands of rockets into southern and central Israel; Whereas Hamas terrorists crossed the Israeli land border, killing civilians and abducting hostages in more than 20 towns in southern Israel, including children and the elderly; Whereas the initial attack killed more than 1,300 Israelis and injured thousands more; Whereas American citizens in Israel are among those killed and abducted by Hamas since October 7, 2023; Whereas since October 7, 2023, Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians; Whereas expansion of this war to other fronts by Hezbollah, Iran, or others would create an even more devastating regional catastrophe; Whereas Iran has long provided hundreds of millions of dollars in material support to Hamas and other terrorist groups, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad; Whereas since 1998, the United States Government has supported successive Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Israel, and in the MOU negotiated in 2016, the United States pledged to provide Israel with $3,300,000,000 per year in foreign military financing and $500,000,000 per year in missile defense funding for 10 years, which Congress has appropriated annually since 2018; Whereas section 513(c) of the Security Assistance Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106280 Public Law 116283 Whereas Congress has responded with emergency supplemental appropriations beyond the terms of such MOU, when needed, such as a $225,000,000 appropriation in 2014 to replenish immediate Iron Dome interceptors after Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel, and appropriations of an additional $1,000,000,000 for the Iron Dome after the May 2021 conflict during which Hamas launched more than 4,400 rockets into Israel; and Whereas the United States will make every effort to prevent Iran, Hezbollah, and others from entering the conflict against Israel, including increasing credible regional deterrence through the deployment of naval and air assets to the Middle East: Now, therefore, be it 1. Sense of the Senate The Senate (1) stands with Israel as it defends itself, including Israeli efforts to diminish the threat posed by Hamas; (2) reaffirms Israels right to self-defense, and is committed to helping Israel safeguard its people from future aggression; (3) calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas war on Israel, including Hamas intentional targeting of, and attacks against, civilians; (4) demands that Hamas immediately cease its attacks against Israel and safely release all living hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages; (5) condemns Irans support for global terrorism, including its support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad; (6) calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance that the terror group relies on to threaten Israel; (7) warns against any other party hostile to Israel taking advantage of the current situation; (8) reaffirms the United States commitment to Israels security; and (9) stands ready to assist Israel with emergency resupply or other security, diplomatic, and intelligence support needs, both during the immediate crisis and in the near future, including by accelerating delivery of defense articles and systems. 2. Rule of construction Nothing in this resolution may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.

Summary: This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that it may not be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.