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HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a designated foreign
3terrorist organization, perpetrated a brutal terrorist attack
4against the Republic of Israel, launching thousands of rockets
5and conducting incursions into Israeli territory; and
 
6    WHEREAS, This savage assault resulted in the tragic loss
7of numerous innocent lives, leaving thousands more injured and
8over one hundred individuals, including U.S. citizens,
9subjected to abductions, with reports of horrifying acts of
10violence being perpetrated by Hamas terrorists, including
11rape, torture, and murder; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The international community stands united in its
13condemnation of this heinous act of terrorism, and it
14expresses unwavering solidarity with the victims and their
15families, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Aner Shapira,
16whose bravery and courage are being recognized and
17acknowledged by communities across the globe; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old man, was
19among those taken hostage, sustaining severe injuries in the
20process, including the loss of his arm below the elbow due to a
21grenade explosion he survived while fighting back against
22Hamas' merciless attack on Israel; he was last seen showing

 

 

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1unwavering strength, determination, and poise while being
2abducted by Hamas terrorists; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents, now residing in
4Israel, were originally raised in Chicago, and his
5grandmothers currently reside in Chicago and Evanston,
6highlighting the profound and intense impact this tragedy has
7had on communities across Israel, the United States, and the
8world; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Aner Shapira, an off-duty Israel Defense Forces
10soldier and member of the Nahal Brigade, was among those
11killed that day and sacrificed his life in an incredible and
12inspiring act of bravery; as he and over 20 other
13festivalgoers sought safety in a public bomb shelter, Hamas
14terrorists began throwing live grenades into the shelter; in
15response, he defended and protected those beside him by
16catching and throwing back grenades at the terrorists, saving
17others while laying down his life in the process; therefore,
18be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist acts
22perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and express our full
23solidarity with the Republic of Israel and its citizens; and

 

 

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1be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That we believe that the responsible parties
3behind this heinous act, including Hamas and its affiliates,
4must be held accountable for their actions and that all
5necessary measures need to be taken to ensure justice is
6served; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That we demand the immediate and safe return of
8Hersh Goldberg-Polin, along with all other hostages forcibly
9taken by Hamas terrorists, from Hamas captivity, and that
10every option must be explored and every effort must be exerted
11to secure their release and facilitate their safe return to
12their loving, brave, and courageous families; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we urge the United Nations, relevant
15international bodies, and member states to mobilize all
16available resources to assist in the negotiation and rescue
17efforts, with a focus on the well-being and immediate medical
18attention required for Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the other
19hostages; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That we call upon the nations of the world to
21work collectively to prevent such acts of terror in the future
22and to strengthen global cooperation in combating terrorism in

 

 

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1all of its forms; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That we recognize and honor the extraordinary
3bravery and sacrifice of Hersh Goldberg-Polin's friend, Aner
4Shapira, who valiantly gave his life to protect others in the
5attack, displaying selflessness and heroism in the face of
6unimaginable danger; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
8delivered to the President of the United States, the U.S.
9Senate Majority Leader, the U.S. Senate Minority Leader, the
10U.S. Speaker of the House, the U.S. House of Representatives
11Minority Leader, and all members of the Illinois Congressional
12Delegation.