06 LC 21
8697
Senate
Resolution 764
By:
Senators Hill of the 32nd, Rogers of the 21st, Balfour of the 9th, Tolleson of
the 20th, Mullis of the 53rd and others
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
dismay at the success of Hamas in the Palestinian elections and calling for
action; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Hamas, whose Islamic militants have carried out over 100 major terrorist attacks
including homicide bombings killing more than 500 people, including 17 American
citizens since 1993, opposes peace talks with Israel and will not halt their
killings nor disarm; and
WHEREAS,
Hamas refuses to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist and
continues to call for the total destruction of Israel; and
WHEREAS,
a two-state solution to the conflict in the region requires all participants in
the process to renounce violence and terrorism; and
WHEREAS,
Hamas recently won the majority of the seats in the Palestinian government,
making it essential that Hamas recognize the right of the State of Israel to
exist; and
WHEREAS,
the State of Israel, the United States of America and the European Union have
all classified Hamas as a terrorist organization; and
WHEREAS,
the good people of the United States of America gave $400 million in taxpayer
dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian government in 2005 and many millions
more through their contributions to the United Nations; and
WHEREAS,
acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued a statement affirming that
Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian government led by Hamas;
and
WHEREAS,
President George W. Bush issued a statement stating that one party cannot be a
partner in peace if they advocate the destruction of a
country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body call upon the United States of America, the European Union, the United Nations and all people of peace throughout the world to refuse to recognize Hamas as a legitimate party in the democratic process until it renounces and ends violence, dismantles its terrorist infrastructure, recognizes Israel's right to exist as a nation, and agrees to conduct direct negotiations with Israel to achieve a peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body call upon the United States of America, the European Union, the United Nations and all people of peace throughout the world to refuse to recognize Hamas as a legitimate party in the democratic process until it renounces and ends violence, dismantles its terrorist infrastructure, recognizes Israel's right to exist as a nation, and agrees to conduct direct negotiations with Israel to achieve a peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel;
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Senate that the members of this body:
(1)
Affirm our support for the good people of the State of Israel and support the
decision of acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to refuse to negotiate with the
terrorist organization Hamas; and
(2)
Affirm our support for the government of the United States of America and
President George W. Bush to suspend further taxpayer funded aid to the
Palestinian government until Hamas is removed from leadership or until Hamas
recognizes the right of Israel to exist and other conditions outlined herein;
and
(3)
Call upon the people in the affected territory to peacefully reject the
terrorist organization Hamas; and
(4)
Congratulate the people of Israel for their peaceful efforts through the years
in negotiating peace with people of good will representing the Palestine
government; and
(5)
Reaffirm our strong support of the Israeli people and the God-given right of the
State of Israel to exist, and we offer our full support and prayers during this
time of crisis.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the public and the press.