[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 484--CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAMAS

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

                              S. Res. 484

       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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