LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION supporting Israel

WHEREAS, A state of armed conflict exists between Israel and the Hamas
regime controlling Gaza; Hamas has launched 10,000 rockets against
Israeli civilians, and is presently smuggling in arms and military
supplies into Gaza, by land and sea, in order to fortify its positions
and continue its attacks; and
WHEREAS, Under international law, Israel has the right to protect the
lives of its civilians from Hamas attacks, and, consequently, has under-
taken measures to defend itself, including the imposition of a maritime
blockade to curb Hamas rearmament; under international maritime law,
when a maritime blockade is in effect, no vessels can enter the block-
aded area; its use of force for soldiers to defend themselves is also
acceptable under international law; and
WHEREAS, Hamas is a terrorist organization recognized by the United
States and the European Union whose charter calls for the destruction of
Israel; Hamas has also illegally taken control of Gaza and has used
rockets, mortars, and suicide bombs to kill hundreds of Israelis and
Americans inside of Israel, which it continues to this day; and
WHEREAS, Hamas is funded and directly supported by Iran which uses it
as a proxy to fight Israel; in addition, Iran recently announced it
would send Iranian ships to escort future ships attempting to break the
Gaza blockade; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Israel intercepted the Karine A which was found to
be carrying 50 tons of weapons destined for Hamas and, in 2009, Israel
intercepted the Francop carrying hundreds of tons of weapons destined
for Hezbollah; and
WHEREAS, Israel allows approximately 15,000 tons of supplies to enter
Gaza on a daily basis; in the last 18 months over a million tons of
humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza from Israel; and
WHEREAS, Even though Israel repeatedly warned the flotilla it would
not be allowed entry into Gaza and offered to deliver to Gaza the huma-
nitarian goods that the flotilla was carrying, Israel was rebuffed; and
WHEREAS, Greta Berlin, one of the leaders of the flotilla, admitted
the purpose was not to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza but rather to end
the blockade; and
WHEREAS, The main organizer of the flotilla was the Turkish Humanita-
rian Relief Foundation, which has publicly affirmed its links to Hamas,
maintains an office in Gaza, and has ties to other terrorist organiza-
tions, including al-Qaeda, and several of the passengers on the flotilla
have links or have provided financial support to Hamas, Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, and al-Qaeda; and
WHEREAS, According to its website, the United Nations Human Rights
Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations consist-
ing of 47 countries responsible for strengthening the promotion and
protection of human rights around the globe; however, its members
include such notorious violators of human rights as China, Cuba, Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, and Russia; in addition, the Human Rights Council has
produced the deeply flawed and biased United Nations Fact Finding
Mission on the Gaza Conflict (Goldstone Report) which was rejected by
the Obama Administration and Congress, and at least 27 resolutions
specifically condemning Israel; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to support
a bill prohibiting the United States' participation on the United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and prohibiting contributions to

the United Nations for the purpose of paying for any United Nations
investigation into the flotilla incident; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation declares
that the United States stands with the Government of Israel and the
Israeli people; supports Israel's unconditional right to defend itself;
and supports Israel's naval blockade of Gaza; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.