Resolution on Terrorism

WHEREAS Jewish tradition has its paramount principle the sanctity and pursuit of life as exemplified in the Torah with the words, “You shall keep My Laws and rules, by the pursuit of which one shall live” (Lev. 18:5) and Jewish tradition teaches that deliberate indiscriminate killing is murder, and;

WHEREAS Jewish tradition supports the establishment of a basic normative order and governance that ensures peace and security for the citizens of all lands as exemplified by the instructions of Moses to Jethro in Exodus 18, and;

WHEREAS Jewish tradition teaches that failure to exercise authority against violence can lead to its proliferation.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly express its gratitude to President George W. Bush for his forceful and forthright actions combating the terrorism of Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly support the actions of the United States government and its allies to eliminate terrorism world-wide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly call on the government of the United States to recognize the essential nature of the United States of America’s role in leading the international efforts to eliminate terrorism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as people of faith, the Rabbinical Assembly call on all people of faith to condemn the claim that suicide bombings are a religious act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly unequivocally condemn acts of violence and terrorism by members of our community and call upon all people of faith to join us in condemning acts of violence and terrorism in their communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon all members of the US Senate and House of Representatives to support and/or cosponsor S 1409 and HR 1795, requiring that sanctions be imposed on the PLO and the Palestinian Authority if the President cannot certify that they are meeting their commitment to fight terrorism and end their use of violence.

Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, February, 2002