A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Affirming the Legislature's support and commitment of the State of Israel.

WHEREAS, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel and murdering Jews worldwide, and designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization; and

WHEREAS, the Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly organized, and unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens in the early morning hours of October 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, in its attack, Hamas killed, tortured, beheaded, burned alive, and raped hundreds of innocent civilians and took hundreds of Israeli babies, children, women, entire families, elderly, and infirm civilians hostage; and

WHEREAS, Hamas committed atrocities that recall the worst ravages of ISIS, unleashing pure, unadulterated evil; and

WHEREAS, the dead are not just Israelis, but Americans and citizens of countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, in its attack, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets against Israeli population centers in an attempt to kill untold numbers of innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, the timing of this Hamas terrorism operation to coincide with the observance of the Jewish Sabbath and celebration of the Sukkoth holiday demonstrates the intent to maximize civilian casualties; and

WHEREAS, Hamas continues to brazenly locate elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers using civilians as human shields:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Legislature reaffirms its support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature recognizes Israel's right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect the right to life of its citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature expresses its support of Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized, and public safety is assured; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature express utmost admiration for the members of the Israeli Defense Force who answered the call to duty to protect their homes, families, friends, and country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature convey its most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities, and may their memories be a blessing;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature pray for those injured, kidnapped, and those who grieve or suffer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature calls upon South Dakota law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting South Dakota Jewish citizens, and all supporters of the State of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at certain times; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature encourages all states in the United States to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official government body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens.

Adopted by the House of Representatives, January 16, 2024

Concurred in by the Senate, January 18, 2024

_____________________ _____________________ Hugh Bartels Patricia Miller Speaker of the House Chief Clerk

_____________________ _____________________ Lee Schoenbeck Peggy Laurenz President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate

of the Senate