08-R200
2008 -- S 2992
Enacted 04/30/08
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING THE 60TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL AND REAFFIRMING THE
BONDS OF CLOSE FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL
Introduced By: Senators
Raptakis, Perry, Gallo, Miller, and Algiere
Date Introduced: April 30,
2008
WHEREAS,
On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to
partition
the British Mandate of Palestine and create a Jewish state; and
WHEREAS,
On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the
sovereign
and independent State of Israel, and the United States Government established
full
diplomatic
relations with Israel; and
WHEREAS,
The desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of
Israel
is an outgrowth of the existence of the historic kingdom of Israel established
in the Land of
Israel
3,000 years ago, with the City of Jerusalem as its capital; and
WHEREAS,
For over 2,000 years, there has been continuous Jewish presence and
residence
in the land comprising the modern State of Israel; and
WHEREAS,
The establishment of the modern State of Israel as a homeland for the
Jewish
people followed the slaughter of more than 6,000,000 European Jews during the
Holocaust;
and
WHEREAS,
Since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern State of Israel has rebuilt a
nation,
forged a new and dynamic democratic society, and created a thriving economic,
political,
cultural,
and intellectual life despite the heavy costs of war, terrorism, and
unjustified diplomatic
and
economic boycotts against the people of Israel; and
WHEREAS,
The people of Israel have established a vibrant, pluralistic, democratic
political
system, including freedom of speech, association, and religion; a vigorously
free press;
free,
fair and open elections; the rule of law; a fully independent judiciary; and
other democratic
principles
and practices; and
WHEREAS,
Israel has developed some of the leading universities in the world, and eight
Israeli
citizens have been awarded the Nobel Prize; and
WHEREAS,
Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial economy, is among the
world's
leaders in the high-tech industry, and is at the forefront of research and
development in
the
field of renewable energy sources; and
WHEREAS,
Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue teams, mobile
hospitals,
and other emergency supplies, to help victims of disasters around the world,
including
the
1994 Rwandan civil war, the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy in Kenya,
the 1999
earthquakes
in Turkey, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 hurricanes along the
southern
coast
of the United States, and the 2007 fires in Greece; and
WHEREAS,
Israel has absorbed millions of Jews from countries throughout the world
and
fully integrated them into Israeli society; and
WHEREAS,
Israel has bravely defended itself from repeated terrorist and military attacks
since
its independence; and
WHEREAS,
Successive leaders of Israel have sought to achieve peace with Israel's Arab
neighbors;
and
WHEREAS,
Israel has established peaceful bilateral relations with neighboring Egypt
and
Jordan and has made its desire to establish peaceful relations with all Arab
states abundantly
clear;
and
WHEREAS,
For six decades, the United States and Israel have maintained a special
relationship
based on mutually shared democratic values, common strategic interests, and
moral
bonds
of friendship and mutual respect; and
WHEREAS,
The American people feel a strong affinity for the Israeli people based on
common
values and shared cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS,
The United States continues to regard Israel as a strong and trusted ally and
an
important strategic partner; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
recognizes the historic significance of the 60th Anniversary of the
reestablishment of the
sovereign
and independent State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people, and
extends the
warmest
congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and the Israeli people
for a
peaceful,
prosperous, and successful future; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this Senate hereby reaffirms the bonds of friendship and co-operation
which
have existed between the United States and Israel for the past 60 years, and
commits to
strengthening
those bonds. We reaffirm our enduring support for Israel as Israel pursues
peace
with
its neighbors and supports Israel's right to defend itself against threats to
its security and
existence.
We furthermore commend the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements
in
building
a new state and a pluralistic, democratic society in the face of terrorism, as
well as
hostility,
ostracism, and belligerence from many of their neighbors; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
duly certified copies of this resolution to members of the Rhode Island
Congressional
Delegation
and Nadav Tamir, Consul General of Israel to New England.
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LC02811
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