California Assembly Bill ACR119

California 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/3/24

Caption

Condemning the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Impact

The resolution calls for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas, which includes nearly 240 individuals, amongst them young children and the elderly. The impact of ACR 119 is largely symbolic; however, it aligns California's position with broader bipartisan condemnation of terrorism and vocal support for the protection of human rights both domestically and internationally. Additionally, it stresses the need for community solidarity against acts of anti-Semitism, ensuring that California abides by the global standard of denouncing such occurrences.

Summary

ACR 119, introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher, is a resolution that strongly condemns the terrorist organization Hamas for its attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. The resolution specifically addresses the heinous acts committed during this coordinated assault, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, including at least 30 U.S. citizens, and extensive suffering for nearly 4,000 wounded. ACR 119 articulates California’s stand against the brutality of these attacks, marking a significant response from the state Legislature.

Contention

While the resolution primarily serves to denounce the acts of terrorism and reaffirm California’s stance on public safety and human rights, it also arrives amidst a complex backdrop of national and international discourse about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As such, the resolution aims to reflect a unified, bipartisan approach towards condemning violence while emphasizing the need for protecting all civilians, which may evoke discussions on the associated political implications. By publicly denouncing Hamas, ACR 119 signifies a clear legislative message against terrorism and violence.