Blumenthal, Ayotte, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution in Solidarity with Israel, Condemning Palestinian Terror Attacks

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas), will introduce a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate in solidarity with Israel – condemning Palestinian terrorist attacks, and reaffirming support for Israel’s commitment to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount.

Since the beginning of October, conflict between Israel and Palestine has drastically escalated, with Palestinian terror attacks wounding, and killing, innocent Israeli civilians. Two Americans have been killed in these gruesome attacks, including Richard Lakin, who was a Glastonbury, Connecticut elementary school principal and civil rights activist before moving to Israel in 1984.

“I stand with Israel in defending itself against these tragic and indiscriminate Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli citizens,” said Blumenthal. “This bipartisan resolution expresses the clear and unequivocal need to bolster Israel’s security, hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for incitement, and stem this tide of visceral violence. Repeated reprehensible attacks on innocent Israeli civilians follow President Abbas’ dangerous disavowal of commitments made during the peace process. These attacks must be stopped."

“Israel, our closest and most reliable friend and ally in the Middle East, has the right to defend its people against terrorism, and we condemn the incitement by Palestinian leaders that has encouraged these gruesome attacks against Israelis.  These attacks have demonstrated yet again the courage of the Israeli people and the moral depravity of terrorists who deliberately seek to take innocent life,” said Ayotte.

Specifically, the bipartisan resolution:

(1) Condemns these brutal attacks in the harshest terms possible;

(2) Welcomes Israel’s commitment to the continued maintenance of the status quo on the Temple Mount;

(3) Urges the President and the international community to join in forcefully condemning these Palestinian terror attacks;

(4) Clarifies that there is no justification for these types of attacks and that there is a direct correlation between the recent upsurge in violence and Arab incitement regarding the Temple Mount;

(5) Stands with the people of Israel during these difficult days;

(6) Supports Israel’s right to self-defense and rejects any suggestion of the moral equivalence of Israeli security personnel protecting its citizens from senseless violence and terrorists intent to deliberately take innocent lives;

(7) Supports the agreement reached to install surveillance cameras on the Temple Mount according to the arrangements to be determined between the parties;

(8) Calls upon President Abbas to stop all incitement by Palestinian officials and by Palestinian media, to strongly and unequivocally demand an end to the violence, and to take all steps necessary to halt these attacks;

(9) Expresses support and admiration for individuals and organizations working to encourage cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians;

(10) Encourages President Abbas to continue strengthening and maintaining security cooperation with Israel;

(11) Reiterates that Palestinian political goals will never be achieved through violence; and

(12) Calls on all parties to return to the negotiating table immediately and without preconditions, as direct discussions remain the best avenue to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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