BILL NUMBER: ACR 10	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Anderson

                        JANUARY 12,2009

   Relative to support for Israel.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 10, as introduced, Anderson. Support of Israel.
   This measure would describe the conflict between Israel and Hamas
and proclaim the Legislature's support of Israel.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The State of Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in
August 2005. Since then, more than 6,400 rocket attacks launched from
Gaza have terrorized the civilian population of southern Israel; and

   WHEREAS, Hard hit by the terrorist organization Hamas is Sderot, a
town of 20,000 less than three miles north of Gaza. A mostly
immigrant community of Israeli Jews, Christians, and Muslims with few
economic resources, Sderot is home to over 3,000 children. More than
half of the community is over 65 years of age; and
   WHEREAS, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stated, "None of
us here in Los Angeles can truly comprehend what life must be like in
southern Israel or the Gaza Strip... In a nation where we have the
luxury and the privilege to demonstrate, advocate our positions, and
go home at night free from terror and violence - it is vital for us
to remember that no one condones the loss of innocent life... No one
doubts that each life lost to terrorism is a loss to our world," and
said "As we speak, the tragic consequences of Hamas' actions and
ideology are playing out on television screens and newspapers
worldwide... I've been to Sderot and seen the wreckage caused by a
constant barrage of rocket attacks. I've met parents afraid to let
their kids play in the streets and students unable to go to school
each day. I've walked along empty roads, visited vacant buildings,
and witnessed the sheer destruction of a town decimated by eight
years of missile strikes... Any nation would take action to protect
its citizens and ensure the safety and security of its residents. And
no country would sit silently while innocent families are threatened
and civilian lives are at-risk... Israel is no different. It must
act against the Hamas leaders targeting the innocent. And it must be
allowed to exercise its right and responsibility to defend itself";
and
   WHEREAS, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi,
stated, "Peace between Israelis and Palestinians cannot result from
daily barrages of rocket and mortar fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza.
Hamas and its supporters must understand that Gaza cannot and will
not be allowed to be a sanctuary for attacks on Israel"; and
   WHEREAS, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Representative Howard Berman stated, "Israel has a right, indeed a
duty, to defend itself in response to the hundreds of rockets and
mortars fired from Gaza over the past week. No government in the
world would sit by and allow its citizens to be subjected to this
kind of indiscriminate bombardment. The loss of innocent life is a
terrible tragedy, and the blame for that tragedy lies with Hamas";
and
   WHEREAS, Congressman Jim Costa stated, "These unprovoked attacks
on Israel have shown the world yet again the ultimate goal of Hamas:
the destruction of Israel. It is unfortunate that Hamas is not
interested in a peace agreement, but rather killing innocent people
and forcing Israel to protect herself, while the people of Gaza
suffer... I support Israel's right to defend itself against these
rocket attacks from Gaza, and urge the rest of the world to stand
with Israel during this perilous time"; and
   WHEREAS, The government of Israel has finally taken action to stop
the rain of mortars and missiles from Gaza and is now in its second
week of war against the terrorist organization Hamas; and
   WHEREAS, As a surrogate of Iran, Hamas not only terrorizes Jewish
and Christian populations around the world, it has been brutal to the
Muslim Arabs living in Gaza and across Israel. Hamas terrorists have
murdered hundreds of Arabs within Gaza and have withheld food,
medical supplies, and fuel to large segments of the population they
control. Hamas has declared it will not stop its rocket attacks on
Israel and this war will continue; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That as a bipartisan coalition, the Legislature
supports Israel's right to seek peace and security for its citizens,
the prime obligation of any government, and we stand with Israel.