Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi sponsored the resolution 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 noted anti-Semitism could be on the rise in the Sunshine State, referring to an orthodox rabbi being shot and killed in South Florida earlier this month. 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 offered her take on 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 on Tuesday. 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.
Scott weighed in on the topic last week, reaching across the aisle to quote U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), in support of Israel.
As the crisis continues in the Middle East, Florida stands with Israel and specifically recognizes Israel's right to defend all Israelis against acts of violence from Hamas, Scott said last week. "Israel's fight to end the senseless terrorism and violence of Hamas should unite all Americans. We must not pretend that this issue is 'complicated' as many pundits suggest. One thing here is not complicated at all: Hamas wants to destroy Israel. Hamas are the perpetrators.
"Support for Israel is a moral issue, above politics, Scott added. I agree with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultzs assessment that there are 'way too few lone voices around the world criticizing' the continued violence from Hamas. Violence against Jewish people and any act of anti-Semitism have no place in Florida or any part of the world that values freedom and democracy, without which there can be no peace.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
