ENROLLED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 125
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
A RESOLUTION
To commend Israel upon the fiftieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, to
recognize the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and the
state of Louisiana and the contributions of Israel to humankind, and to express
support for the people of Israel and for their right to defend themselves and to live
in freedom.
WHEREAS, since the time of King David, except for the nineteen years between
1948 and 1967, there has always been a Jewish presence in the ancient city of Jerusalem, the
capital of Israel; and
WHEREAS, Jerusalem was divided during the 1948 War of Independence and was
reunited in the Six Day War in June of 1967; and
WHEREAS, 2017 marks the fiftieth anniversary of this war and the reunification of
Jerusalem, which was a seminal event in the history of Israel; and
WHEREAS, the reunification of Jerusalem was also a fundamental moment in the
history of religious tolerance, opening the city of Jerusalem to worshipers of all faiths,
permitting Jews to return to the Western Wall and other holy sites, and allowing Israeli
Muslims and Christians to visit those sacred places in eastern Jerusalem from which they had
been barred since the division of the city; and
WHEREAS, on June 7, 1967, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan marked this historic
occasion with these words: "This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem.
We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of
our holy places, never to part from it again"; and
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WHEREAS, the land of Israel is the birthplace of the Jewish people, where their
spiritual, religious, and national identity has been formed, where they have achieved
independence, and where they have created a culture of national and universal significance;
and
WHEREAS, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promised in Genesis 12:3 to bless
those who bless Israel through the promise He made to Abraham: "And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be
blessed"; and
WHEREAS, the claim and presence of the Jewish people in Israel has remained
constant throughout more than three thousand years of history; and
WHEREAS, when exiled from Israel, the Jewish people remained faithful to Israel
in all the countries of their dispersion, never ceasing to pray and hope for their return and
the restoration of their national freedom; and
WHEREAS, the legal basis for the establishment of the modern state of Israel was
a binding resolution under International Law, which was unanimously adopted by the
League of Nations in 1922 and subsequently affirmed by both houses of the United States
congress; and
WHEREAS, the resolution affirmed the establishment of a national home for the
Jewish people in the historical region of the land of Israel, including the areas of Judea,
Samaria, and Jerusalem; and
WHEREAS, Article 80 of the United Nations charter recognizes the continued
validity of the rights granted to states or peoples which already existed under international
instruments; therefore, the 1922 League of Nations resolution remains valid, and the six
hundred fifty thousand Jews currently residing in the areas of Judea, Samaria, and eastern
Jerusalem reside there legitimately; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of David Ben-Gurion, the modern state of Israel
was established on May 14, 1948, and Israel has had to defend herself and her right to exist
since her founding; and
WHEREAS, Israel declares that she will be based on the precepts of liberty, justice,
and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets; will uphold the full social and political equality
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of all her citizens, without distinction of race, creed, or sex; and will guarantee full freedom
of conscience, worship, education, and culture; and
WHEREAS, Israel is the foremost leader in the Middle East and a shining example
for the rest of the world relative to the recognition of the basic equality and dignity of
women, providing full and equal opportunities for women to vote, hold elected office, own
property, and pursue and engage in any occupation, profession, or trade; and
WHEREAS, Israel is a great friend and ally of the United States in the Middle East,
and 2015 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement,
which was the first free trade agreement entered into by the United States; it continues to
serve as the foundation for expanding trade and investment between the United States and
Israel by reducing barriers and promoting regulatory transparency; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana and Israel have long enjoyed a special friendship
that strengthens with each passing year; and
WHEREAS, Israel and Louisiana also have strong economic ties, and numerous
Louisiana companies have experienced the benefits of doing business with Israel; and
WHEREAS, exports sustain thousands of Louisiana businesses, and foreign
investment creates Louisiana jobs; the tradition of trade between Israel and Louisiana
remains strong and has a positive impact on both economies; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the strong economic ties between Israel and Louisiana,
the people of Israel and Louisiana have a rich history of shared values and mutual interests,
and government officials from Louisiana have visited Israel on numerous occasions,
furthering collaboration and cooperation; and
WHEREAS, the people of Israel have been persecuted throughout history, and there
are still those who express a strong desire for the destruction of Israel, which faces continued
threats to her safety; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend and congratulate the people of Israel upon
the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, to express support
for Israel's freedom and security, and to recognize the genuine and abiding friendship
between Israel and the state of Louisiana.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Israel upon the fiftieth anniversary of the
reunification of Jerusalem, does hereby recognize the cordial and mutually beneficial
relationship between Israel and the state of Louisiana and the contributions of Israel to
humankind, and does hereby express support for the people of Israel and for their right to
defend themselves and live in freedom.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Ambassador Eitan Levon, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, and to Ron Dermer,
Ambassador of Israel to the United States.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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