LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing the 64th Anniversary of the founding
of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of friendship,
mutual support, and cooperation between the State of New York and the
State of Israel

WHEREAS, On May 14, 1948, the Jewish people re-established the Jewish
homeland known as the sovereign and independent State of Israel; and
WHEREAS, The new State of Israel was immediately subjected to military
attack by six foreign nations bent on the destruction of the Jewish
homeland; and
WHEREAS, The United States immediately established full diplomatic
relations with Israel; and
WHEREAS, The lands of Israel, shown to Abram and promised through
Isaac as an eternal homeland to Abraham and his descendants, have been
the historic homeland of the Jewish people; and
WHEREAS, Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel; and
WHEREAS, The State of Israel was re-established following the genocide
of more than six million Jews during the Holocaust of World War II; and
WHEREAS, Israeli political and social life includes freedom of speech,
of press, and of religion for all Israeli citizens, Jewish and non-Jew-
ish, enshrined by law and protected by independent courts; and
WHEREAS, Israel maintains an open and vibrant democratic society with
a thriving culture and economy despite persistent external threats; and
WHEREAS, The Jewish people are under constant threat of terrorism,
war, and unjust diplomatic and economic sanctions by other nation-states
and their proxies; and
WHEREAS, Such threats to the well-being and security of the Israeli
people and the institutions of free Israeli society represent equal
threats to the well-being and security of the people of the State of New
York and peaceful people and governments globally; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York and the State of Israel maintain a
time-honored relationship based on shared democratic values, common
cultural traditions, strategic interests, moral bonds of friendship, and
mutual respect; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York and the State of Israel seek to contin-
ue to support each other in spiritual, scientific, educational, econom-
ic, social, cultural, and strategic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York maintains an official presence in
Jerusalem; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, on behalf of the people of the State
of New York, recognizes the historic significance of the 64th Anniver-
sary of the re-establishment of the sovereign and independent State of
Israel; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York recognizes the re-established State of
Israel as a permanent homeland for the Jewish people; and
WHEREAS, The people of the State of New York commend the people of the
State of Israel for their unprecedented achievements in building a new
state and a pluralistic, democratic society in the face of great adver-
sity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 64th Anniversary of the founding of the modern State of
Israel; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the people of the State of New York reaffirm the bonds
of friendship and cooperation with the people of the State of Israel.