Portman and Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution in Solidarity with Israel, Condemning Palestinian Terror Attacks

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced that he has joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing a 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. The resolution was led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.).

"The recent increase in violence against Israeli civilians is unacceptable," Portman stated. "The U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and this violence only reinforces the importance of the strong U.S.-Israeli strategic partnership. I am pleased to support this resolution that says we will not tolerate these horrific acts."

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.

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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