HR0449 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0449 LRB103 34917 MST 64789 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel and has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; and

WHEREAS, The Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly-organized, and unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens in the early morning hours of October 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, In its attack, Hamas killed hundreds of innocent civilians and took hundreds of Israeli children, women, elderly, and infirm civilians hostage; and

WHEREAS, In its attack, Hamas fired thousands of rockets against Israeli population centers in an attempt to kill untold numbers of innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, The level of logistical sophistication demonstrated in this Hamas terrorism operation indicates its receipt of support and funding from foreign state sponsors of terror, namely Iran; and

WHEREAS, The timing of this Hamas terrorism operation to coincide with the observance of the Jewish Sabbath and celebration of the Sukkoth holiday demonstrates the intent to maximize civilian casualties; and

WHEREAS, Hamas continues to brazenly locate elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers, using civilians as human shields; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly condemn the attacks on the State of Israel and its people and strongly implore the government of Israel to bring the terrorist organization, Hamas, to an end; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize Israel's right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we express our support for Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we convey our most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon Illinois law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage all other American states to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon the United States to provide assistance to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations that threaten its sovereignty; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to all Illinois Constitutional Officers, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.