2023 Senate Resolution 78

Whereas, Hamas, a United States-designated foreign terrorist organization, launched a heinous series of coordinated violent attacks by air, land, and sea in Israel on October 7, 2023. Thousands of rockets fired from Gaza fell on Israeli buildings indiscriminately, killing people in their homes and places of work. Armed terrorists on motorcycles engaged in a massive door-to-door slaughter of civilians. Hamas militants stormed Israeli beaches by motorboat. Paragliders descended upon a music festival, where Hamas terrorists mowed down hundreds of attendees with gunfire; and

Whereas, The tragic attack on October 7 left at least 1,400 dead and 3,400 injured, with many victims dehumanized and paraded on camera, their assailants recording their torture and murder. Nearly 200 people were taken captive, including babies and the elderly, whose conditions are still not known. Among the casualties are Americans, 31 killed and 13 missing, and many other foreign nationals; and

Whereas, More Jewish civilian lives were lost on October 7 than any single day since 1945. This attack was reminiscent of other instances when Jews have been persecuted throughout history, including the pogroms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and events during the Holocaust; and

Whereas, Michiganders are impacted by the events of October 7, many with direct relations to the dead and wounded. This shared grief and pain must compel residents of our state to demonstrate support, compassion, and care for one another; and

Whereas, Hamas’s tyranny does not represent the views or advance the aspirations of the many Palestinians who seek to live in dignity and peace in a region mired in conflict; and

Whereas, United States President Joe Biden has publicly stated that “we can’t lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas and Hamas’s appalling attacks, and they’re suffering as a result as well,” and “It’s also a priority for me to urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said “the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza – and them alone – including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm’s way. It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible”; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023; and be it further

Resolved, That we affirm Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas and other terrorists, and to prevent future attacks; and be it further

Resolved, That we join the urgent call for Hamas to release those being held hostage; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge support for immediate access to refuge for innocent civilians in Gaza who need refuge and call on our federal government to work with our allies to provide humanitarian aid; and be it further

Resolved, That we affirm the dignity of all innocent civilians impacted, Israelis and Palestinians, and join the long-standing call for peace in the region; and be it further

Resolved, That during this time of international crisis, we stand with all Michiganders who have Israeli and Palestinian cultural, religious, and familial roots, and decry all antisemitism and Islamophobia in our districts, our state, and across the globe; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Chargé d’affaires for Israel, the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.