[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 315 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 315

Recognizing the formation and supporting the objectives of the Friends 
                         of Israel Initiative.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 2010

 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself and Mr. Sires) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the formation and supporting the objectives of the Friends 
                         of Israel Initiative.

Whereas the Friends of Israel Initiative was founded by former Spanish Prime 
        Minister Jose Maria Aznar, former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, 
        former United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations John 
        R. Bolton, and other leading statesmen, scholars, and international 
        figures on May 31, 2010;
Whereas, as noted in its mission statement, the Friends of Israel initiative was 
        founded ``a) To combat the delegitimization of the State of Israel at 
        home, abroad and inside the institutions of the international community. 
        b) To publicly show our solidarity with Israel's democratic institutions 
        - the legitimate expression of the Jewish people's millennial aspiration 
        to live in peace and freedom in its national homeland. c) To support 
        Israel's inalienable right to secure borders unmolested by terrorists or 
        tyrannical regimes so that its citizens can continue living with the 
        same guarantees that our own societies enjoy. d) To consistently and 
        firmly oppose the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran. e) To work to ensure 
        that Israel is fully accepted as a normal Western country, an essential 
        and indivisible part of the Western world to which we belong. f) To 
        reaffirm the value of the religious, moral, and cultural Judeo-Christian 
        heritage as the main source of the liberal and democratic Western 
        societies.'';
Whereas Israel has provided Jewish people from all over the world with the 
        opportunity to reestablish and participate in a Jewish state in their 
        ancient homeland with Jerusalem as its undivided capital;
Whereas Israel enjoys a vibrant democratic political system, functions under the 
        rule of law, has a flourishing market economy, and excels in 
        technological innovation and entrepreneurship that benefits mankind;
Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from repeated military and terrorist 
        attacks since it declared its independence;
Whereas Israel is entitled to the same rights as every other sovereign, 
        democratic state, including the right to self-defense;
Whereas Israel's fundamental right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state must 
        be recognized and defended by all responsible nations;
Whereas Israel is threatened by an escalating worldwide campaign to delegitimize 
        the Jewish state and deny Israel its fundamental rights;
Whereas Israel and the entire Western world share the same threats and 
        challenges, and threats to Israel must be treated as threats to the 
        West;
Whereas these growing threats include violent Islamist extremism and the 
        possibility of a nuclear-armed Iranian regime, which must not be 
        tolerated or accepted by responsible nations;
Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a longstanding strategic partnership 
        and friendship based on shared interests, democratic values, amity, and 
        respect, and that include educational, scientific, technological, 
        intelligence, military, and homeland security cooperation; and
Whereas the people of the United States share a deep affinity with the people of 
        Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the formation of the Friends of Israel 
        Initiative and affirms its founding goals, as articulated in 
        its mission statement; and
            (2) reaffirms its enduring, bipartisan support for the 
        alliance and friendship between the governments and peoples of 
        the United States and Israel, for Israel's security and right 
        to self-defense, and for Israel's right to exist as a 
        democratic, Jewish state.
                                 <all>