Louisiana SCR 21: CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to support the nation of Israel in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks and Israel's ongoing efforts to root out Hamas.

Bill Text

2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21
BY SENATOR HODGES AND REPRESENTATIVES BAYHAM, BILLINGS,
CARLSON, SCHAMERHORN AND WYBLE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To memorialize the Congress of the United States to support the nation of Israel in the wake
of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks and Israel's efforts to root out Hamas.
WHEREAS, the United States Department of State has designated Hamas as a
terrorist organization; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a coordinated series of terrorist
attacks on Israel that resulted in the slaughter of women, children, and the elderly totaling
eight hundred fifty-nine civilians, two hundred eighty-three Israeli Defense Force soldiers,
fifty-seven policemen, and ten members of the Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet; and
WHEREAS, Hamas terrorists abducted two hundred forty-eight people, including
at least six Americans, to use as hostages and human shields; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations has issued a report stating that it has grounds to
believe Hamas has sexually assaulted its hostages, including gang rape; and
WHEREAS, Hamas has launched over four thousand rockets into Israel; and
WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists have killed over nine hundred
Israelis, at least eleven Americans, and injured more than two thousand others; and
WHEREAS, Hamas terrorists use Palestinian civilians as human shields; and
WHEREAS, Hamas terrorists hide and launch attacks from civilian centers; and
WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of
an indeterminable number of Palestinian civilians; and
WHEREAS, Hamas considers the death of Palestinian civilians a good thing as the
innocent collateral dead are "martyrs" to the goals of Hamas; and
WHEREAS, United States government assessments indicate that, "Iran provides up
to $100 million annually in support to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas"; and
WHEREAS, foreign support will sustain Hamas in its terror campaign to destroy
Israel; and
WHEREAS, Israel is a major ally and strategic partner of the United States; and
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SCR NO. 21 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, Israel holds paramount importance to direct negotiations in achieving
a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, without preconditions; and
WHEREAS, Israel stands firm in its rejection of unilateral recognition of a
Palestinian state, considering it a detrimental reward to terrorism and an impediment to
future peace settlements; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative to affirm Israel's commitment to peaceful negotiations
and reject any imposition of international dicta that undermine the sovereignty and security
of Israel; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has not forgotten the humanitarian aid provided
by Israel to the people of Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the 2016 flood;
and
WHEREAS, Louisiana and Israel share numerous economic and educational ties that
benefit many Louisiana businesses and universities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby:
(1) Stand with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric terror campaign launched
by Hamas and its supporters.
(2) Reaffirm Israel's right to self-defense as a sovereign nation.
(3) Condemn Hamas' brutal terror campaign against Israel.
(4) Call on Hamas to immediately cease all attacks and safely release all living
hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages to their families.
(5) Mourn the nine hundred Israelis and eleven Americans killed and over two
thousand six hundred others wounded by Hamas since its attack on October 7, 2023.
(6) Mourn the loss of all innocent civilians who died and recognize those injured and
suffering due to the fighting in the Middle East.
(7) Support the United States' commitment to Israel's security.
(8) Urge full enforcement of the Taylor Force Act (title X of division S of Public
Law 115–141; 132 Stat. 1143) and other restrictions in United States law to prevent United
States foreign assistance from benefitting terrorists, directly or indirectly.
(9) Urge full enforcement of United States sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's
funding of terrorist groups including Hamas.
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SCR NO. 21 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby support
Israel in its right to categorically reject any international dicta concerning a permanent
settlement with the Palestinians that is not the product of direct negotiations between the
concerned parties devoid of any preconditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby stand
with Israel in its opposition to unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state as such statehood,
particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th massacre, would serve as an egregious and
unprecedented reward to terrorism, thereby obstructing prospects for future peace
settlements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
memorialize the Congress of the United Stat