Maine supports Israel

Just received this resolution from the State of Maine. Looks like thy see this issue clearly. Shalom. David Schneier


STATE OF MAINE
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND AND THIRTEEN
JOINT RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

WHEREAS, the Charter of the United Nations recognizes the continued validity of rights
granted by the League of Nations in 1922 to states or peoples that already existed under
international instruments and this action was affirmed by both Houses of the United States

Congress;

and
WHEREAS, the State of Israel declared its independence and statehood on May 14, 1948
and the United States immediately recognized the State of Israel's independence and was the first
country to do so;

and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the State of Israel as a modem homeland for the Jewish
people followed the extermination of more than 6 million European Jews during the Holocaust;

and
WHEREAS, since the country's establishment, the Israeli people have built one of the
world's most dynamic cultural, economic, agricultural and intellectual societies while confronting
constant terrorism, the immense pressures of imminent war, constant missile barrages, economic
boycotts and ostracism from much of the international community;

and
WHEREAS, in spite of these adversities, the State of Israel has established a strong
democratic political system that guarantees its people freedom of speech, freedom of the press,
fair and open elections and respect for the rule of law for Jews and Arabs alike; and
WHEREAS, at great financial and social cost, the State of Israel has welcomed millions of
immigrants from around the world and has made great strides in assimilating these immigrants
into Israeli life and society;

and
WHEREAS, the United States and the citizens of Maine share democratic values, common
strategic interests and bonds of friendship and mutual respect with the State of Israel, which is our
greatest friend and only true ally in the Middle East;

and
WHEREAS, Maine has had connections with the State of Israel since 1866, when families
from Jonesport, Maine established a colony in Jaffa, and in 2004 the houses built by the colonists
from Jonesport, Maine were restored to commemorate this historic colony and, for those efforts, a
couple from Maine was awarded the Maine Preservation Award;

and
WHEREAS, Maine has economic ties to the State of Israel, had nearly $11 million in exports
of goods and services to the State of Israel in 2011 and over $207 million since 1996 and there
exists a potential for many more research and business ties through available Israeli grants; and
WHEREAS, the 4,000-year history of the Jewish people and their land is documented in
great detail in the Jewish Torah and throughout the Christian Bible; now, therefore, be it

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RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Legislature now
assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this

opportunity to:
1. Reaffirm the strong bonds that have connected the people of Maine and of the United
States to the people and State of Israel;

2. Commend the people of the State of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building
a successful democratic nation and strong economy despite constant opposition and adversity;

3. Express our outrage regarding all terrorist acts perpetrated against the Israeli people,
especially the bold and blatant declaration by the enemies of the State of Israel to destroy the
small country, the same enemies who declare they will destroy the United States;

and
4. Express strong support and a steadfast commitment to the security, welfare and survival
of the sovereign State of Israel and recognize its right to secure its borders and to act in self-defense
to protect its citizens from acts of terrorism.

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