SR0084 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0084 LRB103 30939 MST 57489 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted to partition British Mandatory Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state; this was a compromise embraced by leadership of the nascent Jewish state; and

WHEREAS, On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the independent State of Israel; 11 minutes later, President Truman, on behalf of the United States, became the first world leader to recognize Israel's provisional government as the legitimate authority in the area allotted to it; and

WHEREAS, The uninterrupted dream of the Jewish people to reestablish their independent state was directly linked to their historic sovereignty in the Land of Israel; this was first established 3,000 years ago with the city of Jerusalem as its capital then as it is now; and

WHEREAS, For over 2,000 years, Jews living in other parts of the world maintained a profound spiritual and emotional connection to the Land of Israel, and there has been a continuous Jewish presence in the land comprising the modern State of Israel; and

WHEREAS, The State of Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the destruction of much of the European Jewry during the Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, Israel has provided the opportunity for millions of Jews from all over the world, including immigrants fleeing antisemitism and oppression from such countries as Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, Argentina, Syria, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, India, other parts of the Middle East, North Africa, South America, and Asia, to make new lives in their ancient homeland; and

WHEREAS, Since its establishment 75 years ago, the modern State of Israel has rebuilt the nation, forged a new and dynamic society, and created a thriving economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy burdens of war and terrorism; and

WHEREAS, The people of Israel, in the spirit of Israel's Declaration of Independence, have established a vibrant, pluralistic, democratic political system that includes freedom of speech, association, and religion, a vigorously free press, free, fair, and open elections, the rule of law, a fully independent judiciary, rights for the LGBTQ+ community, and other democratic principles and practices; and

WHEREAS, Israel has developed some of the world's leading universities and hospitals, some of which are partnering with Illinois-based institutions in Chicago and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial economy, has one of the world's leading technological industries, and is at the forefront of research and development in the fields of renewable energy sources and medicine; and

WHEREAS, Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search and rescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other emergency supplies to help victims of disasters around the world, including setting up field hospitals and sending personnel and supplies to Turkey, Ukraine, Haiti, Japan, Nepal, and Surfside, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Israel has courageously defended itself from repeated attacks since its independence while never losing sight of the determination to live in peace with all of its neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the Abraham Accords, Israel has been able to expand its peaceful relations across the Middle East from not only Egypt and Jordan to now include the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan; and

WHEREAS, Since the founding of the modern State of Israel, the United States, Illinois, and Israel have maintained a special relationship based on mutually shared democratic and moral values, common strategic interests, and bonds of friendship and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Illinois continue to regard Israel as a trusted ally and vital strategic partner in the Middle East; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and applaud the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States, Illinois, and Israel for the past 75 years and commit to strengthening these bonds; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic, democratic society in the face of terrorism as well as hostility, ostracism, and belligerence from many of their neighbors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our enduring support for Israel as the country pursues peace with its neighbors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we extend our best wishes to the State of Israel and its people for a peaceful and prosperous future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That on April 26th, 2023, coinciding with the 5th day of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar, the date known in Hebrew as Yom HaAtzmaut or Israel's Independence Day (which fell on May 14th in 1948), we recognize and applaud the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.