Title: Condemning the statements of Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
This resolution condemns certain statements by Representative Pramila Jayapal regarding Israel and the Palestinians, reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the state of Israel, supports Israel's right of self-defense, and condemns anti-Semitic hate speech.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 431 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 431

    Condemning the statements of Representative Pramila Jayapal of 
                              Washington.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 21, 2021

    Mr. Reschenthaler submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Ethics, and in addition to the Committees 
on Foreign Affairs, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Condemning the statements of Representative Pramila Jayapal of 
                              Washington.

Whereas, on October 8, 1997, Hamas was designated as a foreign terrorist 
        organization by the United States Government and actively seeks the 
        destruction of the State of Israel, uses Palestinians as human shields, 
        and is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip;
Whereas, on May 10, 2021, Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, fired 
        approximately 150 rockets from the Gaza Strip targeting the State of 
        Israel;
Whereas Israel has a right of self-defense against radical Islamic terrorism;
Whereas, on May 20, 2021, Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington stated on 
        CNN, ``Well, we condemn Hamas' firing of those rockets, but I think you 
        have to look at what prompted even that behavior.'';
Whereas Representative Pramila Jayapal further stated, ``this has been a pattern 
        of action from Israel that frankly has taken away the idea even of a 
        two-state solution, and has led to increased hopelessness from the 
        Palestinian people.'';
Whereas Representative Pramila Jayapal said ``I think what Hamas has done is--
        obviously we condemn that--but we have to look at the power balance 
        here, or imbalance as it were, and we have to put more responsibility on 
        Israel in maintaining peace in the region.'';
Whereas blaming Israel for Hamas rocket attacks and justifying terrorism is a 
        form of anti-Semitic speech; and
Whereas spreading hateful misinformation about the State of Israel feeds anti-
        Semitism against Jewish people at home and abroad: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the statements of Representative Pramila 
        Jayapal of Washington;
            (2) condemns anti-Semitic hate speech; and
            (3) reaffirms its commitment to the State of Israel and 
        supports its right of self-defense.
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