SF 4631

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/07/2024 04:34pm

A resolution
memorializing the President and Congress to provide assistance to support Israel in its
defense against Hamas.

WHEREAS, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel and
has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; and

WHEREAS, the Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly organized, and
unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens in the early morning hours of October 7, 2023;
and

WHEREAS, in its attack, Hamas has killed hundreds of innocent civilians and taken hundreds
of Israeli children, women, elderly, and infirm civilians hostage; and

WHEREAS, in its attack, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets against Israeli population
centers in an attempt to kill untold numbers of innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, the level of logistical sophistication demonstrated in this Hamas terrorism
operation indicates its receipt of support and funding from foreign state sponsors of terror, namely
Iran; and

WHEREAS, the timing of this Hamas terrorism operation to coincide with the observance
of the Jewish Sabbath and celebration of significant Jewish holidays demonstrates the intent to
maximize civilian casualties; and

WHEREAS, Hamas continues to brazenly locate elements of its terrorist infrastructure in
civilian population centers, using civilians as human shields; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it reaffirms its support
and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes Israel's right to act decisively
and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens and oppose any pressure to enact a ceasefire
prematurely before Israel has secured its safety.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses its support for Israel's right to
pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas and any other affiliated
groups until Hamas and all such groups are permanently neutralized and public safety is assured.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature conveys its most heartfelt condolences
to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls upon this state's law enforcement
agencies to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans and all supporters of Israel from acts
of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages all other American states to
likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act
decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls upon the United States to provide
all assistance as may be required to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist
organizations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is directed
to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States, the
President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United
States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.