Reps. Shulman, Hager, Farhat, Howell, Taub, Koetje, Pappageorge, Paletko, DeRossett, Lipsey, Vagnozzi, Huizenga, Vander Veen, Pastor, Stahl, Bradstreet, Emmons, Stakoe, Acciavatti, Adamini, Brandenburg, Brown, Dennis, Ehardt, Garfield, Gillard, Hoogendyk, Hummel, Kooiman, Meisner, Meyer, Milosch, Newell, Palmer, Richardville, Rocca, Shackleton, Shaffer, Sheen, Stallworth, Stewart, Tabor, Tobocman, Voorhees and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 77.

            A resolution to express support for Israel in its fight against terrorism.

            Whereas, The ongoing threat of worldwide terrorism at home and abroad has forced local, state, and federal resources in the United States to be diverted from other critical domestic programs for the purpose of enhancing the security of our citizens; and

            Whereas, Economic progress and growth have uplifted the Jewish and the Arab and other ethnic communities of Michigan and helped to integrate them into the American democratic, free-market system; and

            Whereas, Encouraging international trade is an integral economic goal of the state of Michigan.  Bringing state goods to international markets further integrates the world economy; and

            Whereas, Peace, stability, and mutual understanding benefit all people.  Economic progress and international trade and their derived benefits to our state and its trading partners can serve to foster more peaceful relations among Israelis, Palestinians, and Muslims; and

            Whereas, The United States, Great Britain, Israel, and other nations are now engaged in a common struggle against terrorists.  The nations fighting terrorism are on the front-lines of a conflict thrust upon them against their will; and

            Whereas, Hundreds of innocent Israelis and Palestinians have died tragically in violence since September 2000, and Israel has lost over 700 innocent lives through suicide terrorist attacks and other means; and

            Whereas, Yasser Arafat and members of the Palestinian leadership have failed to abide by their commitments to nonviolence made in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles (the Oslo accord) of September 1993.  The continued terrorism and incitement committed, supported, and coordinated by official arms of the Palestinian Authority are a direct violation of these commitments.  These actions have prevented a peaceful resolution and have negatively impacted life and the economy of both the Israelis and the Palestinians; and

            Whereas, President George W. Bush declared at a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, that any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime; and

            Whereas, Israel has made clear its intention to withdraw from Palestinian areas and has already begun to do so; now therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express our support of Israel in its fight against terrorists and those who support terrorism; we stand in solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the surrounding areas; and we remain committed to Israel's right to self-defense; and be it further

            Resolved, That, by contributing to the creation of a more viable economic future for both Israelis and Palestinians, there will be an alleviation of one of the key components that brings these groups into conflict; and be it further

            Resolved, That, with the assistance of Michigan’s Jewish community and its Partnership 2000 in Israel and the Michigan League of Arab Americans and other Michigan Arab American organizations, the state of Michigan will seek to enhance its trade agreement with Israel, while working to sign a similar agreement with the Palestinian Authority; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Honorable Daniel Ayalon, Israeli Ambassador to the United States.