[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S148-S149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 6--EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL IN ISRAEL'S 
              DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM IN THE GAZA STRIP

  Mr. VITTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 6

       Whereas the state of Israel is the greatest ally of the 
     United States in the Middle East;

[[Page S149]]

       Whereas the Hamas terror organization's charter calls for 
     the destruction of the state of Israel;
       Whereas Palestinian terrorists of the Islamic Jihad and 
     Hamas in the Gaza Strip, recently have fired hundreds of 
     rockets at civilian targets in southern Israel, ending a 6-
     month ceasefire with Israel, in declaration and in deed;
       Whereas, during the 6-month ``state of calm'', the 
     Government of Israel allowed the entry of approximately 
     17,000 truckloads of humanitarian aid supplies into the Gaza 
     Strip, while Palestinian terrorists launched 538 rockets and 
     mortars into Israel;
       Whereas the latest terrorist attacks on Israel took place 
     only days after the United Nations Security Council adopted 
     Resolution 1850, which unanimously declared support for the 
     peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis;
       Whereas, since the most recent terrorist attacks and its 
     military operation that began on December 27, 2008, the 
     Government of Israel has allowed the entry of hundreds of 
     truckloads of humanitarian aid supplies into the Gaza Strip, 
     in full coordination with donor Arab countries and 
     international aid organizations, including the Red Cross, out 
     of respect for human rights and human life and in an effort 
     to minimize the hardship and suffering of the Palestinian 
     people;
       Whereas the military operations of the Government of Israel 
     constitute an effort to defend the people of Israel, which is 
     the Government's moral duty in response to the unspeakable 
     horrors of ongoing, indiscriminate terrorism, and are aimed 
     only at dimantling the terrorist infrastructure; and
       Whereas hundreds of innocent Israeli and Palestinian 
     civilians tragically have been killed on account of ongoing 
     escalations of violence initiated by Palestinian terrorist 
     organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) stands in solidarity with the Government of Israel as 
     it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people;
       (2) remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense and 
     supports additional assistance from the United States to help 
     Israel defend itself;
       (3) condemns the end of the ceasefire by Hamas;
       (4) condemns the firing of rockets into civilian areas by 
     the terrorist groups of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad;
       (5) urges all Arab states to declare strong opposition to 
     terrorism and terrorist attacks on civilians;
       (6) urges all parties in the Middle East to pursue lasting 
     peace in the region; and
       (7) expresses its commitment to working to promote economic 
     relations, bilateral trade, and partnerships in technology 
     and alternative energy between the United States and Israel 
     in order to stimulate the economies of both the United States 
     and Israel in this time of crisis.

                          ____________________