Two members of the Florida congressional delegation--Republican Bill Posey and Democrat Alcee Hastings--joined as original co-sponsors to a resolution reaffirming the ties between the U.S. and Israel and condemning Palestinian terrorism.
U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Ga., brought out the resolution two weeks ago and Posey and Hastings signed on as co-sponsors. Eight other members of Congress also joined as co-sponsors but Hastings is the only Democrat behind the measure. The resolution praises Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of affairs while condemning the Palestinian government for encouraging the recent increase in terrorism directed at Israelis.
“The American people share a very special bond with the people of Israel,” Woodall said last week. “We have no stronger ally, and their strength is necessary not only for their own protection and success, but for freedom-loving people throughout the region and across the world. They face tremendous danger on a daily basis from those who deny their right to exist and seek to destroy their nation and heritage. Those carrying out recent attacks do not share the love of liberty that bonds the American and Israeli nations together.
“I am proud of this non-partisan effort to provide an opportunity for the House to unite against these evil acts, and I thank my friend Mr. Hastings for helping us get here,” Woodall added.
“The current wave of violence in Israel deserves swift and clear condemnation, not just from the United States, but from the entire international community,” Hastings said. “Unfortunately, we have not seen this happen, even as attack after attack is carried out against innocent Israelis."
Hastings went through some of the recent terrorist acts against Israelis.
“Roughly 100 stabbings, shootings, and car-ramming attacks have been carried out since October,” HastingsResolution Condeming Palestinian Terrorism Against Israel Moves Through House With Support of Florida Congressmen said. “The Palestinian government and leaders around the world must unequivocally condemn these acts of terror. I am therefore pleased to introduce this bipartisan resolution with Congressman Rob Woodall, which calls on the entire international community to stand in unison against acts of terrorism in Israel and reaffirms our belief that any chance at lasting peace can only happen through peaceful, bilateral, discussions between Israel and the Palestinians.”
The resolution is now before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
