HR0508 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0508 LRB103 35307 ECR 65355 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Both Hamas and Hezbollah are recognized by the U.S. Department of State as Foreign Terrorist Organizations; and

WHEREAS, On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack to deliberately target Israeli civilians, which included the killing and abduction of men, women, children, and the elderly; and

WHEREAS, Hamas' stated goal is the total destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of its Jewish citizens; and

WHEREAS, A disturbing number of student organizations at institutions of higher education have placed blame solely upon the State of Israel for the attack and have expressed support for the terrorist actions of Hamas through the glorification of violence and the usage of anti-Semitic rhetoric; and

WHEREAS, On October 9, 2023, the national leadership of Students for Justice in Palestine declared a "day of resistance", calling on student chapters across the United States to demonstrate by "not just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with oppressors" and, following this announcement, many chapters issued pro-Hamas statements; and

WHEREAS, On October 10, 2023, a Stanford University lecturer targeted Jewish students during a class on colonialism, justifying the actions of Hamas terrorists by calling them "freedom fighters" and asking Jewish students to identify themselves and stand in the corner to illustrate what "Jews were doing to Palestinians"; and

WHEREAS, On October 15, 2023, in a complete disregard for humanity, a Cornell University professor grabbed the microphone at a campus rally and said that "Hamas has challenged the monopoly of violence"; in reference to Hamas' terror attack on Israel, he also said "It was exhilarating", "It was energizing", and "I was exhilarated"; and

WHEREAS, On October 22, 2023, the Brandeis University student government voted down a simple resolution condemning Hamas and calling on the immediate release of all hostages back to their families unharmed; and

WHEREAS, On October 24, 2023, George Washington University students, at a vigil to support Hamas' surprise attack, prominently projected signs on the walls of the university's library, including "Glory to our Martyrs"; and

WHEREAS, On October 25, 2023, a walkout and protests took place at DePaul University in Chicago featuring over 100 students, where the chant "Death to Zionism" was heard and flags for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Syria-based terrorist group, were seen; and

WHEREAS, The University of Illinois chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine shared a video showing what appears to be a Hamas terrorist filming himself inside of the home of an Israeli family during the October 7th attack; and

WHEREAS, Many administrations of institutions of higher education do not follow the practice of institutional neutrality and frequently speak out on public issues but have failed to speak out clearly after Hamas' October 7th attack, exposing their lack of regard for their Jewish and pro-Israel students; and

WHEREAS, The glorification of violence and the usage of anti-Semitic rhetoric creates a hostile learning and working environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we condemn the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call on campus administrators to condemn all forms of anti-Semitism on college campuses and to ensure Jewish students, faculty, and guests can exercise the same free speech rights as are guaranteed to all other students, faculty, and guests without intimidation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the enforcement of State and federal civil rights laws to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we offer our sympathy and compassion to families and individuals suffering from the current Israel-Hamas conflict; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the presidents of each four-year public and private institution of higher education in Illinois.