the Florida Legislature's unanimous passage of Senate Resolution 1396 and House Resolution 1447, commending Israel as "the greatest friend and ally of the United States in the Middle East..."
Senate Resolution 1396, passed on February 1, 2012, was sponsored by Senator Alan Hays and co-sponsored by all 39 other members of the Florida Senate, the highest possible expression of support the Resolution could receive.
House Resolution 1447, passed on February 29, 2012, was sponsored by Representative Scott Plakon, and co-sponsored by a group of 29 other representatives, including 20 Republicans and 9 Democrats. The resolution passed 108-0.
Among its many significant factual recitations the resolution explicitly states:
"...the 650,000 Jews presently residing in the areas of Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem reside there legitimately."
"...the members of [Florida's Legislature] support Israel in its legal, historical, moral and G-d given right of self-governance and self-defense upon the entirety of its own lands, recognizing that Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others, and that peace can be afforded the region only through a whole and united Israel governed under one law for all people."
Florida's resolution is an enhanced version of one that also received bi-partisan support in the South Carolina Legislature, where it passed unanimously in June of 2011.
"The strong and honest language used in the resolution recognizes the rights of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, and that Jerusalem and the so-called West Bank must remain united under Israeli sovereignty for the sake of peace and security," according to Joe Sabag, executive director of the Florida region of the ZOA, who lobbied vigorously for passage of the resolution.
"The mention of "one law for all people" is a specific call for the Jews of Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem to be permitted the same rights of land use and development as Jews living elsewhere in Israel," he added.
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, "A concerted campaign is being waged against the Jewish state to deny its legitimacy in virtually every aspect of its historical, legal, political, and cultural life. This effort is aimed at undermining the very foundations of Israel's existence. We strongly praise Senator Alan Hays and Representative Scott Plakon, and the entire Florida Legislature, for their unanimous and forceful assertion of the basic truth that Israel is America's most reliable and essential ally, and for their important support of Israeli sovereignty and self-defense. The passage of this resolution is both revolutionary and historic in its importance. "
"It is imperative to note the particularly important role played by Israel's Christian friends who joined with the Jewish community to urge the passage of this resolution. The Land of Israel is the rightful homeland of the Jewish People, and the enemies who seek Israel's destruction are also self-avowed enemies of America.
From the resolution:
WHEREAS, this resolution affirmed the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in the historical region of the Land of Israel, including areas of Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem, and
WHEREAS, Article 80 of the United Nations charter recognized the continued validity of the rights granted to states or peoples which already existed under international instruments, and, therefore, the 1922 League of Nations resolution remains valid, and the 650,000 Jews currently residing in the areas of Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem reside there legitimately...
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