CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 119
Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Chen, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Vince Fong, Hoover, Lackey, Mathis, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Sanchez, Ta, Waldron, and Wallis)
(Coauthor: Senator Grove)
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January 03, 2024 |
Relative to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 119, as introduced, Gallagher.
Condemning the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
This measure would condemn and decry the Hamas terrorist organization in the harshest terms for its premeditated, coordinated, and barbaric attacks on Israel, acts of sexual violence, hostage taking, and theft of relief supplies intended for the civilian population of Gaza, and demand the release of all hostages held by Palestinian terrorists. The measure would condemn and denounce in the strongest possible terms all instances of anti-Semitism occurring in California, the United States, and globally.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, On October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched a willful, planned, and savage attack against innocent civilians in Israel; and
WHEREAS, Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has murdered 1,200 people, including at least 30 United States citizens, and wounded nearly 4,000 people; and
WHEREAS, Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has fired over 9,000 rockets into Israel; and
WHEREAS, During its October 7 attack, Hamas terrorists committed heinous acts, including rapes, sexual assaults, and beheadings, against Israeli civilians; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that nearly 240 people were abducted and held hostage in the Gaza Strip; and
WHEREAS, At least one native Californian, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23 years of age, of the City of Berkeley, who was attending the Nova music festival near Re’im, Israel on October 7, 2023, remains unaccounted for, and is presumed to be held captive by Hamas; and
WHEREAS, There has been broad, bipartisan condemnation of Hamas’ acts of terrorism; and
WHEREAS, United States President Joseph Biden said, on October 7, 2023, “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel”; and
WHEREAS, Over 20 countries have confirmed their citizens were killed or are unaccounted for, with many believed to be hostages of Hamas; and
WHEREAS, Young children and seniors were among the hostages taken by Hamas; and
WHEREAS, Some hostages, which include United States citizens, are in need of urgent medical care; and
WHEREAS, Hamas has threatened to murder hostages and publicly broadcast the executions; and
WHEREAS, Hamas has forcibly stolen aid contributed by the international community with the intention of helping the civilian population of Gaza; and
WHEREAS, The United States has designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization; and
WHEREAS, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the “immediate release of all abducted persons” taken by Hamas; and
WHEREAS, International law prohibits the deliberate murder and hostage taking of innocent civilians; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature condemns the Hamas terrorist organization in the harshest terms for its premeditated, coordinated, and barbaric attacks on Israel; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature decries Hamas’ acts of sexual violence, hostage taking, and theft of relief supplies intended for the civilian population of Gaza, and demands the release of all hostages held by Palestinian terrorists; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature condemns and denounces in the strongest possible terms all instances of anti-Semitism occurring in California, the United States, and globally; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.