[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 484 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 484

              Condemning the terrorist organization Hamas.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 5, 2023

   Mr. Manchin (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
              Condemning the terrorist organization Hamas.

Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides 
        the right to free speech, to peacefully assemble, and to practice one's 
        religion without fear of persecution;
Whereas the First Amendment does not provide the right to engage in defamation, 
        or to threaten or incite violence in support of the ideology of 
        terrorist organizations;
Whereas there have been protests across the United States in support of Hamas in 
        the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist groups in 
        the Gaza Strip;
Whereas the majority of protests have been peaceful assemblies in support of 
        Israelis and Palestinians;
Whereas a small minority of individuals has used the conflict to sow animosity 
        and violence in support of terrorist groups such as Hamas;
Whereas Hamas is a terrorist organization, supported by the current Iranian 
        regime, dedicated to destroying the Jewish state of Israel through any 
        means necessary;
Whereas Hamas does not protect or support the Palestinian people, but uses them 
        to shield its weapons and militants;
Whereas Israel, exercising its right to self-defense, uses its military to 
        shield its people;
Whereas antisemitism is fundamental to the principles of Hamas, whose heinous 
        attacks led to the single worst mass killing of Jews since the 
        Holocaust;
Whereas constructive dialogue on peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and 
        Israelis has been co-opted by Hamas to further create division between 
        the majority of the Palestinian and Israeli people who are simply 
        seeking a peaceful and prosperous life; and
Whereas terrorist organizations, acts of terrorism, and the misinformation 
        perpetrated by terrorist organizations should never be defended or 
        sympathized with: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) condemns the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the 
        Jewish community by the terrorist organization known as Hamas;
            (2) recognizes that religious freedom is a universal human 
        right;
            (3) encourages respect for the right of individuals to 
        peacefully assemble and practice their religion freely without 
        perpetrating violence on others;
            (4) acknowledges the right of Israel to defend and secure 
        its nation;
            (5) acknowledges the effort that must be made by 
        Palestinians and Israelis to reach a resolution that opposes 
        the objectives of terrorist organizations and creates 
        prosperity for all individuals in the region; and
            (6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to oppose 
        all forms of terrorism.
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