H.Res. 657 — Engrossed in House

H. RES. 657 In the House of Representatives, U. S., July 11, 2014 RESOLUTION Whereas Hamas is a United States-designated terrorist organization whose charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel; Whereas Hamas continues to reject the Quartet’s core principles—recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce violence, and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements; Whereas Hamas has killed hundreds of Israelis and dozens of Americans in rocket attacks and suicide bombings; Whereas since Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas and other terrorist groups have fired thousands of rockets at Israel; Whereas since June 2014, Hamas has fired nearly 300 rockets at Israel; Whereas Hamas’s weapons arsenal includes approximately 12,000 rockets that vary in range; Whereas Iran has long provided material support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including assistance that has enabled these terrorist organizations to produce longer-range rockets capable of striking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; Whereas innocent Israeli civilians are indiscriminately targeted by Hamas rocket attacks; Whereas the United States and Israel have cooperated on missile defense projects, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow Anti-Missile System, projects designed to thwart a diverse range of threats, including short-range missiles and rockets fired by non-state actors, such as Hamas; Whereas the United States has provided $235,000,000 in fiscal year 2014 for Iron Dome research, development, and production; Whereas, during the most recent rocket attacks from Gaza, Iron Dome has successfully intercepted dozens of rockets that were launched against Israeli population centers; and Whereas 5 million Israelis are currently living under the threat of rocket attacks from Gaza: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) reaffirms its support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens and ensure the survival of the State of Israel; (2) condemns the unprovoked rocket fire at Israel; and (3) calls on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket and other attacks against Israel. Clerk.