Fire and Smoke

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. SIZEMORE (for himself) submits the following RESOLUTION Condemning the terrorist organization Hamas. Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides the right to free speech, to peacefully assemble, and to practice one’s religion without fear of persecution; Whereas the First Amendment does not provide the right to engage in defamation, or to threaten or incite violence in support of the ideology of terrorist organizations; Whereas there have been protests across the United States in support of Hamas in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip; Whereas the majority of protests have been peaceful assemblies in support of Israelis and Palestinians; Whereas a small minority of individuals has used the conflict to sow animosity and violence in support of terrorist groups such as Hamas; Whereas Hamas is a terrorist organization, supported by the current Iranian regime, dedicated to destroying the Jewish state of Israel through any means necessary; Whereas Hamas does not protect or support the Palestinian people, but uses them to shield its weapons and militants; Whereas Israel, exercising its right to self-defense, uses its military to shield its people; Whereas antisemitism is fundamental to the principles of Hamas, whose heinous attacks led to the single worst mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust; Whereas constructive dialogue on peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis has been co-opted by Hamas to further create division between the majority of the Palestinian and Israeli people who are simply seeking a peaceful and prosperous life; and Whereas terrorist organizations, acts of terrorism, and the misinformation perpetrated by terrorist organizations should never be defended or sympathized with: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) condemns the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the Jewish community by the terrorist organization known as Hamas; (2) recognizes that religious freedom is a universal human right; (3) encourages respect for the right of individuals to peacefully assemble and practice their religion freely without perpetrating violence on others; (4) acknowledges the right of Israel to defend and secure its nation; (5) acknowledges the effort that must be made by Palestinians and Israelis to reach a resolution that opposes the objectives of terrorist organizations and creates prosperity for all individuals in the region; and (6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to oppose all forms of terrorism.

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