SR0981 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0981 LRB095 23288 KXB 53995 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Israel has suffered through years of rocket and missile fire from Hamas-controlled areas, even after Israel fully withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Hamas is designated by the United States government as a terrorist entity and is largely supported and armed by Iran, which our government characterizes as the world's main state sponsor of terrorism; and

WHEREAS, Over 10,000 Hamas rockets have intentionally targeted schools, medical centers, homes, and playgrounds from Sderot to Beer Sheva in Israel and have killed or wounded many Israelis; and

WHEREAS, Israel has demonstrated extraordinary restraint in the face of such aggression; and

WHEREAS, The fundamental obligation of the government of Israel is, like any other government, to protect its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Israel has now acted in a way that reflects its stated goal of providing security to its people, rather than impose suffering on the Palestinian people; and

WHEREAS, Israel continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and provide early warning of pending attacks to Palestinian civilians via text messages, phone calls, and leaflet drops; and

WHEREAS, Israel continues to pursue peace with all of its Arab neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The loss of innocent lives, both Israeli and Palestinian, is tragic; and

WHEREAS, The United States, in addition to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries, have attributed blame to Hamas for initiating the latest round of increased violence; and

WHEREAS, The Hamas charter calls for the destruction of Israel, ruling out the possibility of compromise and peaceful negotiations; and

WHEREAS, The Hamas government denies freedom of religion, press, assembly, and equal rights to all of Gaza's residents and considers the United States its bitter enemy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support Israel and its understandable efforts to protect its own citizens in the face of Hamas hostility and rockets; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we believe that both Israel and the Palestinian residents of Gaza are entitled to enjoy peace and security; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we further believe that only a ceasefire that ensures no future rocket attacks on Israeli citizens should be viewed as a meaningful ceasefire; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Office of the Israeli Consul General for the Midwest, the Office of the United States Secretary of State, and the Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations.