THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, SCHWANK, ERICKSON, DINNIMAN, STACK, D. WHITE, LEACH, ALLOWAY, BAKER, RAFFERTY, SCARNATI, BRUBAKER AND PILEGGI, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the Nation of Israel and for its right to

live in peace and to defend itself; and commending Israel for

its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the

United States and with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish

people and, despite Jewish exile, the land has remained the

place where their religious, spiritual and national identity of

the Nation of Israel was formed; and

WHEREAS, Israel has been granted its lands under and, through

the oldest recorded deed, as recorded in the Old Testament, a

tome of scripture held sacred and revered by Jews and

Christians, alike, as presenting the acts and words of God; and

WHEREAS, As the grantor of those lands, God stated to the

Jewish people in the Old Testament, from Leviticus, Chapter 20,

Verse 24: "Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto

you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey"; and 

WHEREAS, The legal basis for the establishment of the State

of Israel was a binding resolution under international law,

which was unanimously adopted by the League of Nations in 1922

and subsequently affirmed by both houses of the Congress of the

United States; and

WHEREAS, That resolution affirmed the establishment of a

national home for the Jewish people in the historical region of

the Land of Israel, including areas of Judea, Samaria and

Jerusalem; and 

WHEREAS, Article 80 of the Charter of the United Nations

recognized the continued validity of the rights granted to

states or peoples which already existed under international

instruments and, therefore, the 1922 League of Nations

resolution remains valid, and the 650,000 Jews currently

residing in the areas of Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem

reside there legitimately; and

WHEREAS, The Nation of Israel declared its independent

control and governance of those lands on May 14, 1948, with the

goal of reestablishing their God-given lands as a homeland for

the Jewish people; and

WHEREAS, The United States of America was the first country

to recognize Israel as an independent nation in 1948; and 

WHEREAS, Israel is the greatest friend and ally of the United

States in the Middle East, and the values of our two nations and

destinies are so intertwined that it is impossible to separate

one from the other; and 

WHEREAS, Israel and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have

enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial relations since 1948, a

friendship that continues to strengthen with each passing year;

and

WHEREAS, The Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob promises in

Genesis 12:3 to bless those that bless Israel; and 

WHEREAS, United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

(1967) recognized Israel's "right to live in peace within secure

and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force";

and 

WHEREAS, There are those in the Middle East who have

continually sought to destroy Israel from the time of its

inception as a state, and those same haters of Israel also hate

and seek to destroy the United States; and 

WHEREAS, Israel faces continued threats to its safety and

security today from Iran and others in the Middle East region;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

express support for the Nation of Israel and for its right to

live in peace and to defend itself; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

commend Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial

relationship with the United States and with the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and support Israel in its legal, historical, moral

and God-given right of self-governance and self-defense upon the

entirety of its own lands, recognizing that Israel is neither an

attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others and that

peace can be afforded the region only through a whole and united

Israel governed under one law for all people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the presiding officers of each house of Congress, each member of

Congress from Pennsylvania and the Ambassador of Israel to the

United States.