Resolution of Continuing International Support of Israel Following Brutal Terror Attack on October 7, 2023
Whereas Hamas has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union, and others, and by its own declaration, “strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine,” and states “The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the links in the chain of the struggle against the Zionist invaders;”
Whereas the United States Supplemental $14.3 billion aid package is stalled in Congress because the US House and US Senate cannot agree on common language;
Whereas the taking and holding of civilian hostages is a Crime Against Humanity and prolongs the terror as long as they are imprisoned and even after their return;
Whereas, as of this writing, Hamas is still holding 134 hostages and has not yet released the names of those in captivity; and, for the reasons listed above, peace that is not ongoing, permanent, and respected by all parties will merely enable Hamas and other terrorist organizations to rearm and continue to attack the State of Israel;
Whereas Hamas has reiterated that October 7 was a prelude to more attacks in the future until Israel is destroyed, a sentiment shared by Hezbollah and other terror organizations, which continue to bombard Israel and allied aid ships with rockets;
Whereas we recognize the dire need for access to humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, we have also learned that Hamas is stockpiling the aid and not distributing it to the people, outright confiscating the aid and having no organized distribution plan; we applaud President Biden’s statement in the recent State of the Union Address and the US plan to open a temporary port on the coast of Gaza for access to humanitarian aid;
Therefore, be it resolved that our Rabbinical Assembly leadership support the proposed $14.3 billion aid package in the US Congress and advocate for the House and Senate leadership to propose a bill President Biden will sign; to be accomplished by our RA leadership contacting Congressional leaders and by individual RA members contacting their elected and appointed officials; in addition, the RA must reiterate to the US Administration, including, but not limited to the Secretaries of State and Defense, the urgent need for this aid.
Be it further resolved that our RA call on the United Nations and national leadership in countries where RA members reside to demand Hamas release a full and detailed list of the names of the hostages - those who are still alive and those who died in captivity - and then to release UNCONDITIONALLY all remaining hostages, including those captured before October 7, to Israel as a precondition to any negotiations.
Be it further resolved that our RA call upon national leaders in countries where our members reside, to remain firm in their support of Israel’s right to exist and obligation to defend its citizens, residents, and visitors.