(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Expresses commitment to the welfare and survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and recognizes its right to act in self-defense.
Reiterates that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure.
Encourages the Administration to work to support a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure.
States that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected to the maximum extent possible.
Calls on all nations to: (1) condemn Hamas for embedding its fighters, leaders, and weapons in private homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, and otherwise using Palestinian civilians as human shields while simultaneously targeting Israeli civilians; and (2) lay blame for the breaking of the calm and for subsequent civilian casualties on Hamas.
Supports efforts to diminish the influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories.
Calls: (1) on Egypt to intensify its efforts to halt smuggling between Gaza and Egypt; and (2) for the release of the kidnaped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Reiterates support for a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Res. 34 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 34
Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza,
reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting
the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 8, 2009
Ms. Pelosi (for herself, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Cantor, Mr.
Clyburn, Mr. Pence, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. McCarthy of
California, Mr. Berman, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Ackerman, and Mr. Burton
of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza,
reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting
the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Whereas Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of
Israel;
Whereas Hamas has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization;
Whereas Hamas has refused to comply with the Quartet's (the United States, the
European Union, Russia, and the United Nations) requirements that Hamas
recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and agree to
accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians;
Whereas in June 2006, Hamas illegally crossed into Israel, attacked Israeli
forces, and kidnaped Corporal Gilad Shalit, whom they continue to hold
today;
Whereas Hamas has launched thousands of rockets and mortars against Israeli
population centers since 2001, and has launched more than 6,000 such
rockets and mortars since Israel withdrew its civilian population and
its military from Gaza in 2005;
Whereas Hamas has increased the range and payload of its rockets, reportedly
with support from Iran and others, putting hundreds of thousands of
Israelis in danger of rocket attacks from Gaza;
Whereas Hamas locates elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian
population centers, thus using innocent civilians as human shields;
Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement on December 27,
2008, that ``We strongly condemn the repeated rocket and mortar attacks
against Israel and hold Hamas responsible for breaking the cease-fire
and for the renewal of violence there'';
Whereas on December 27, 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, ``For
approximately seven years, hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens in
the south have been suffering from missiles being fired at them. . . .
In such a situation we had no alternative but to respond. We do not
rejoice in battle but neither will we be deterred from it. . . . The
operation in the Gaza Strip is designed, first and foremost, to bring
about an improvement in the security reality for the residents of the
south of the country'';
Whereas the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of food, water,
electricity, and adequate medical care, is becoming more acute;
Whereas Israel has facilitated humanitarian aid to Gaza with hundreds of trucks
carrying humanitarian assistance and numerous ambulances entering the
Gaza Strip since the current round of fighting began on December 27,
2008;
Whereas on January 6, 2009, before the United Nations Security Council,
Secretary Rice stated that: ``The situation before the current events in
Gaza was clearly not sustainable. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis
lived under the daily threat of rocket attack, and frankly, no country,
none of our countries, would have been willing to tolerate such a
circumstance. Moreover, the people of Gaza watched as insecurity and
lawlessness increased and as their living conditions grew more dire
because of Hamas's actions which began with the illegal coup against the
Palestinian Authority in Gaza. . . . A ceasefire that returns to those
circumstances is unacceptable and it will not last''; and
Whereas the ultimate goal of the United States is a sustainable resolution of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will ensure the welfare, security,
and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state
with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and democratic
Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the
State of Israel: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses vigorous support and unwavering commitment to
the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a
Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognizes
its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens
against Hamas's unceasing aggression, as enshrined in the
United Nations Charter;
(2) reiterates that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar
attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist,
renounce violence, agree to accept previous agreements between
Israel and the Palestinians, and verifiably dismantle its
terrorist infrastructure;
(3) encourages the Administration to work actively to
support a durable and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza , as soon
as possible, that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding
its terrorist infrastructure, including the capability to
launch rockets and mortars against Israel, and thereby allowing
for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for
the people of Gaza;
(4) believes strongly that the lives of innocent civilians
must be protected to the maximum extent possible, expresses
condolences to innocent Palestinian and Israeli victims and
their families, and reiterates that humanitarian needs in Gaza
should be addressed promptly and responsibly;
(5) calls on all nations--
(A) to condemn Hamas for deliberately embedding its
fighters, leaders, and weapons in private homes,
schools, mosques, hospitals, and otherwise using
Palestinian civilians as human shields, while
simultaneously targeting Israeli civilians; and
(B) to lay blame both for the breaking of the
``calm'' and for subsequent civilian casualties in Gaza
precisely where blame belongs, that is, on Hamas;
(6) supports and encourages efforts to diminish the appeal
and influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories, and
strengthen moderate Palestinians who are committed to a secure
and lasting peace with Israel;
(7) calls on Egypt to intensify its efforts to halt
smuggling between Gaza and Egypt and affirms the willingness of
the United States to continue to assist Egypt in these efforts;
(8) calls for the immediate release of the kidnaped Israeli
soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been illegally held in Gaza since
June 2006; and
(9) reiterates its strong support for a just and
sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
achieved through negotiations between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority in order to ensure the welfare, security,
and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic
state with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and
democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and
security with the State of Israel.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H95-113)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 34.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H138-139)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 5, 22 Present (Roll no. 10).(text: CR H95)
Roll Call #10 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 5, 22 Present (Roll no. 10). (text: CR H95)
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.