I received the state of Floridas recent resolution reaffirming your unrequited support for Israels right of self-defense, Netanyahu wrote Scott. My government has been acting to protect our citizens against the scourge of Islamist terrorism, and we are strengthened by the steadfast support of our many friends in Florida.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi sponsored the resolution last month, which states Israel remains a force of freedom and democracy in the Middle East and a steadfast ally of the United States which the Sunshine State stands behind.
Be it resolved that the governor and Cabinet of the state of Florida do hereby declare that the state of Florida stands with Israel and supports Israels right to defend and protect its citizens from the forces of tyranny and oppression to ensure the survival of the state of Israel, the resolution reads. Be it further resolved that the governor and Cabinet of the state of Florida vehemently condemn the unprovoked rocket attacks aimed at Israel and call on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket and other attacks against Israel.
The resolution labels Hamas as a terrorist organization whose charter calls for the destruction of the state of Israel" and which continues to reject the Quartet Principles, the set of three requirements laid out by the diplomatic entity composed of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia, and the United States: to accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements; to renounce violence; to recognize Israel's right to exist, and that Hamas is behind the recent attacks.
The resolution also points to Floridas ties with Israel, including an Enterprise Florida office in Tel Aviv. Florida continues to foster a strong relationship with Israel and is home to one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel, the resolution states.
The resolution also notes anti-Semitism could be on the rise in the Sunshine State, referring to an orthodox rabbi being shot and killed in South Florida from earlier in August. The killing of Rabbi Joseph Raksin in North-East Miami-Dade has put Floridians on high alert that there is a potential for violence against the Jewish people in Florida, the resolution reads.
Bondi explained why she sponsored the resolution.
I am proud to support Israels right to ensure the survival of the state of Israel and condemn the unprovoked rocket attacks, said Bondi when the Cabinet passed the resolution. Innocent civilians are losing their lives, and today I, along with the governor and other Cabinet members, have called on Hamas to cease all attacks.
Also this week, a prominent Republican with ties to Florida announced he will hold a rally to show support for Israel in Washington, D.C., in early October.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., who moved to the Florida Panhandle after his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, joined with conservative Concerned Women for America (CWA) to hold the rally in the Upper Senate Park in Washington on Oct. 5. The event is also being backed by America Takes Action, a group with ties to Huckabee.
"It's time for the United States to join together in prayer and support for Israel, Huckabee said this week. I have been to Israel nearly 30 times over the past 41 years and have never seen the nation under such threat. Israel is our closest ally and friend in the Middle East, and they are suffering due to the weak policies of the Obama administration. The president has done little to recognize the growing threat of Hamas. God has protected this tiny, but increasingly powerful nation, and it's time for the United States to do the same.
Huckabee has left the door open to a second presidential bid in 2016.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
