Senate Resolution Supporting Israel's Right to Self-Defense
(November 15, 2012)
On November 15, 2012, in response to Israel embarking on Operation Pillar of Defense to stop Hamas rocket fire from Gaza, the U.S. Senate passed Simple Resolution 599 expressing vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security and survival of the State of Israel while also recognizing and strongly supporting Israel's right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism. The resolution was sponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY] and Mark Kirk [R-IL] and had bipartisan cosponsorship from another 65 senators. The simple resolution passed by unanimous vote.
Whereas Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State
of Israel;
Whereas Hamas has been designated by the Secretary of State as a Foreign
Terrorist Organization;
Whereas Hamas refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce
violence, and accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians;
Whereas Hamas has launched thousands of rockets and missiles since
Israel dismantled settlements and withdrew from Gaza in 2005;
Whereas terrorists in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have fired approximately
900 rockets and missile shells into Israel this year, an increase from
roughly 675 attacks in 2011 and 350 in 2010;
Whereas Hamas has increased the range of its rockets, reportedly with
support from Iran and others, putting additional large numbers of Israelis
in danger of rocket attacks from Gaza;
Whereas, on November 14, 2012, President Barack Obama condemned the
rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and reiterated Israel's right to self-defense;
and
Whereas Israel, a fellow democracy, has an inherent right to self
defense in the face of terrorist attacks: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses unwavering commitment to the security of the State of
Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognizes
and strongly supports its inherent right to act in self-defense to protect
its citizens against acts of terrorism;
(2) reiterates that Hamas must end Gaza-linked terrorist rocket and
missile attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce
violence, and agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and
the Palestinians;
(3) urges the United Nations Security Council to condemn the recent
spike in Gaza-linked terrorist missile attacks against Israel, which
risk causing civilian casualties in both Israel and Gaza; and
(4) encourages the President to continue to work diplomatically with
the international community to prevent Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist
organizations from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch
rockets and missiles against Israel.
Sources: GovTrack |