HLS 17RS-2027 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 125
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Commends Israel upon the fiftieth anniversary of the
reunification of Jerusalem
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Israel upon the fiftieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, to
3 recognize the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and the
4 state of Louisiana and the contributions of Israel to humankind, and to express
5 support for the people of Israel and for their right to defend themselves and to live
6 in freedom.
7 WHEREAS, since the time of King David, except for the nineteen years between
81948 and 1967, there has always been a Jewish presence in the ancient city of Jerusalem, the
9capital of Israel; and
10 WHEREAS, Jerusalem was divided during the 1948 War of Independence and was
11reunited in the Six Day War in June of 1967; and
12 WHEREAS, 2017 marks the fiftieth anniversary of this war and the reunification of
13Jerusalem, which was a seminal event in the history of Israel; and
14 WHEREAS, the reunification of Jerusalem was also a fundamental moment in the
15history of religious tolerance, opening the city of Jerusalem to worshipers of all faiths,
16permitting Jews to return to the Western Wall and other holy sites, and allowing Israeli
17Muslims and Christians to visit those sacred places in eastern Jerusalem from which they had
18been barred since the division of the city; and
19 WHEREAS, on June 7, 1967, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan marked this historic
20occasion with these words: "This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem.
Page 1 of 4 HLS 17RS-2027 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 125
1We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of
2our holy places, never to part from it again"; and
3 WHEREAS, the land of Israel is the birthplace of the Jewish people, where their
4spiritual, religious, and national identity has been formed, where they have achieved
5independence, and where they have created a culture of national and universal significance;
6and
7 WHEREAS, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promised in Genesis 12:3 to bless
8those who bless Israel through the promise He made to Abraham: "And I will bless them that
9bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be
10blessed"; and
11 WHEREAS, the claim and presence of the Jewish people in Israel has remained
12constant throughout more than three thousand years of history; and
13 WHEREAS, when exiled from Israel, the Jewish people remained faithful to Israel
14in all the countries of their dispersion, never ceasing to pray and hope for their return and
15the restoration of their national freedom; and
16 WHEREAS, the legal basis for the establishment of the modern state of Israel was
17a binding resolution under International Law, which was unanimously adopted by the
18League of Nations in 1922 and subsequently affirmed by both houses of the United States
19congress; and
20 WHEREAS, the resolution affirmed the establishment of a national home for the
21Jewish people in the historical region of the land of Israel, including the areas of Judea,
22Samaria, and Jerusalem; and
23 WHEREAS, Article 80 of the United Nations charter recognizes the continued
24validity of the rights granted to states or peoples which already existed under international
25instruments; therefore, the 1922 League of Nations resolution remains valid, and the six
26hundred fifty thousand Jews currently residing in the areas of Judea, Samaria, and eastern
27Jerusalem reside there legitimately; and
28 WHEREAS, under the leadership of David Ben-Gurion, the modern state of Israel
29was established on May 14, 1948, and Israel has had to defend herself and her right to exist
30since her founding; and
Page 2 of 4 HLS 17RS-2027 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 125
1 WHEREAS, Israel declares that she will be based on the precepts of liberty, justice,
2and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets; will uphold the full social and political equality
3of all her citizens, without distinction of race, creed, or sex; and will guarantee full freedom
4of conscience, worship, education, and culture; and
5 WHEREAS, Israel is the foremost leader in the Middle East and a shining example
6for the rest of the world relative to the recognition of the basic equality and dignity of
7women, providing full and equal opportunities for women to vote, hold elected office, own
8property, and pursue and engage in any occupation, profession, or trade; and
9 WHEREAS, Israel is a great friend and ally of the United States in the Middle East,
10and 2015 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement,
11which was the first free trade agreement entered into by the United States; it continues to
12serve as the foundation for expanding trade and investment between the United States and
13Israel by reducing barriers and promoting regulatory transparency; and
14 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana and Israel have long enjoyed a special friendship
15that strengthens with each passing year; and
16 WHEREAS, Israel and Louisiana also have strong economic ties, and numerous
17Louisiana companies have experienced the benefits of doing business with Israel; and
18 WHEREAS, exports sustain thousands of Louisiana businesses, and foreign
19investment creates Louisiana jobs; the tradition of trade between Israel and Louisiana
20remains strong and has a positive impact on both economies; and
21 WHEREAS, in addition to the strong economic ties between Israel and Louisiana,
22the people of Israel and Louisiana have a rich history of shared values and mutual interests,
23and government officials from Louisiana have visited Israel on numerous occasions,
24furthering collaboration and cooperation; and
25 WHEREAS, the people of Israel have been persecuted throughout history, and there
26are still those who express a strong desire for the destruction of Israel, which faces continued
27threats to her safety; and
28 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend and congratulate the people of Israel upon
29the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, to express support
Page 3 of 4 HLS 17RS-2027 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 125
1for Israel's freedom and security, and to recognize the genuine and abiding friendship
2between Israel and the state of Louisiana.
3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
4Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Israel upon the fiftieth anniversary of the
5reunification of Jerusalem, does hereby recognize the cordial and mutually beneficial
6relationship between Israel and the state of Louisiana and the contributions of Israel to
7humankind, and does hereby express support for the people of Israel and for their right to
8defend themselves and live in freedom.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
10to Ambassador Eitan Levon, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, and to Ron Dermer,
11Ambassador of Israel to the United States.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 125 Original 2017 Regular Session Hodges
Commends Israel upon the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
Page 4 of 4