Bill Text: IL SR0023 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Recognizes and applauds the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States, Illinois, and Israel and commits to strengthening these bonds. Commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence. Reaffirms enduring support for Israel as the country pursues peace. Extends best wishes to the State of Israel and its people for a peaceful and prosperous future.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-01-24 - Referred to Assignments [SR0023 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0023-Introduced.html

---

SR0023 LRB103 26091 ECR 52446 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the
United Nations voted to partition British Mandatory Palestine
into a Jewish state and an Arab state; this was a compromise
embraced by leadership of the nascent Jewish state; and
WHEREAS, On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed
the establishment of the independent State of Israel; 11
minutes later, President Truman, on behalf of the United
States, became the first world leader to recognize Israel's
provisional government as the legitimate authority in the area
allotted to it; and
WHEREAS, The uninterrupted dream of the Jewish people to
reestablish their independent state was directly linked to
their historic sovereignty in the Land of Israel; this was
first established 3,000 years ago with the city of Jerusalem
as its capital then as it is now; and
WHEREAS, For over 2,000 years, Jews living in other parts
of the world maintained a profound spiritual and emotional
connection to the Land of Israel, and there has been a
continuous Jewish presence in the land comprising the modern
State of Israel; and

SR0023 - 2 - LRB103 26091 ECR 52446 r
WHEREAS, The State of Israel provided a refuge to Jews who
survived the destruction of much of the European Jewry during
the Holocaust; and
WHEREAS, Israel has provided the opportunity for millions
of Jews from all over the world, including immigrants fleeing
antisemitism and oppression from such countries as Ethiopia,
the former Soviet Union, Argentina, Syria, Morocco, Iraq,
Iran, India, other parts of the Middle East, North Africa,
South America, and Asia, to make new lives in their ancient
homeland; and
WHEREAS, Since its establishment 75 years ago, the modern
State of Israel has rebuilt the nation, forged a new and
dynamic society, and created a thriving economic, political,
cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy burdens of
war and terrorism; and
WHEREAS, The people of Israel, in the spirit of Israel's
Declaration of Independence, have established a vibrant,
pluralistic, democratic political system which includes
freedom of speech, association, and religion, a vigorously
free press, free, fair, and open elections, the rule of law, a
fully independent judiciary, rights for the LGBTQ+ community,
and other democratic principles and practices; and

SR0023 - 3 - LRB103 26091 ECR 52446 r
WHEREAS, Israel has developed some of the world's leading
universities and hospitals, some of which are partnering with
Illinois-based institutions in Chicago and elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial
economy, has one of the world's leading technological
industries, and is at the forefront of research and
development in the fields of renewable energy sources and
medicine; and
WHEREAS, Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search
and rescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other emergency
supplies to help victims of disasters around the world,
including setting up field hospitals and sending personnel and
supplies to Ukraine, Haiti, Japan, Nepal, and Surfside,
Florida; and
WHEREAS, Israel has courageously defended itself from
repeated attacks since its independence while never losing
sight of the determination to live in peace with all of its
neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to the Abraham Accords, Israel has been
able to expand its peaceful relations across the Middle East
from not only Egypt and Jordan to now include the United Arab
Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan; and

SR0023 - 4 - LRB103 26091 ECR 52446 r
WHEREAS, Since the founding of the modern State of Israel,
the United States, Illinois, and Israel have maintained a
special relationship based on mutually shared democratic and
moral values, common strategic interests, and bonds of
friendship and mutual respect; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Illinois continue to regard
Israel as a trusted ally and vital strategic partner in the
Middle East; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and
applaud the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of
the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of
Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm the bonds of friendship and
cooperation which have existed between the United States,
Illinois, and Israel for the past 75 years and commit to
strengthening these bonds; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the people of Israel for their
remarkable achievements in building a new state and a
pluralistic, democratic society in the face of terrorism as
well as hostility, ostracism, and belligerence from many of

SR0023 - 5 - LRB103 26091 ECR 52446 r
their neighbors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our support for Israel's right
to defend itself against threats to its security and
existence; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our enduring support for Israel
as the country pursues peace with its neighbors; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That we extend our best wishes to the State of
Israel and its people for a peaceful and prosperous future.