Senate OKs resolution condemning Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, noting Palestinians’ plight ⋆

By Stone Andrews On Oct 18, 2023

Since the deadly Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by militant group Hamas, mourning and calls for justice have radiated throughout Michigan, with many lawmakers calling for formal condemnations of violence.

After other recent resolutions failed to progress in the Michigan Legislature, Senate Resolution 78 was adopted Wednesday in the state Senate to “condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023.”

Michigan Jewish leaders mourn, but remain determined, after Hamas attacks in Israel

Sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who is Jewish, the bipartisan resolution outlines the horrors of the attacks, killing over 1000 people and injuring more than 3000. It acknowledges the pain of Michiganders and the need for compassion. Sens. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), Paul Wojno (D-Warren) and Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway) co-sponsored the measure.

However, this resolution does something previous resolutions on the subject, Senate Resolution 76 and House Resolution 146, do not. It acknowledges Palestinian residents.

“Hamas’s tyranny does not represent the views or advance the aspirations of the many Palestinians who seek to live in dignity and peace in a region mired in conflict,” the resolution reads.

The resolution also quotes President Joe Biden’s recent comments concerning Palestinians, “We can’t lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas and Hamas’ appalling attacks, and they’re suffering as a result as well.”

Last week, in response to House Resolution 146 not mentioning Palestinians, House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) said any conversation about Israel and Palestine that doesn’t acknowledge the mistreatment of the Palestinian people is “disrespectful.”

“It is a disservice to the complexity and the humanity of the people that live in that region. If we want to talk about justice, [if] we want to talk about human rights, [if] we want to talk about protecting civilians, then we must include the conversation around the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, who for decades have endured mistreatment,” Aiyash said.

State Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), Feb. 15, 2023 | Laina G. Stebbins

State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), who is a sponsor of HR 146, said on Tuesday that she and her fellow Jewish Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Muslim colleagues Reps. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) and Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) are working together to create solutions for healing in Michigan.

Both Senate Resolution 76 and House Resolution 146 have been referred to Government Operations committees in their respective chambers — the place where many bills are sent when there’s little chance they’ll receive votes.

Although Steckloff and Arbit are co-sponsors on House Resolution 146, she said her and Arbit were minimally consulted by the main sponsor Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) and the resolution makes mention of Michigan’s Jewish population. But Farhat and Aiyash were not consulted at all, Steckloff said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Dozens of House Republicans held their own press conference Wednesday morning before the Senate approved Senate Resolution 78. Schuette called on Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) to allow movement on his resolution “to condemn the abhorrent violence perpetrated by Hamas in October 2023, call for the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and support Israel’s right to self-defense.”

“This is not complicated and should not be controversial,” Schuette said. “We’re not trying to legislate a peace plan here. We’re attempting to condemn brutal acts of terror. If this legislature can not even do that, we truly have no leg to stand on at all.”

Schuette has been asked by the Advance and several other reporters if he is open to amending his resolution to mention Palestinian residents. He hasn’t given a yes or no answer, saying instead that there can be a conversation for an additional resolution, but the Legislature needs to be very blunt about where it stands in this current resolution.

“It doesn’t have to be my resolution. … I think it’s very important that our House and our body speaks with moral clarity and that includes condemning the acts of terror and violence committed by Hamas. That includes reaffirming our support for Israel’s right to right to defend itself calling for the release of hostages. And yes, if you want to acknowledge suffering that is happening more broadly, that’s fine,” Schuette said Wednesday.

Michigan Rep. Bill Schuette (R-Midland) speaks at a press conference on October 18, 2023, on the state Capitol steps concerning state government action in response to recent deadly attacks in Israel by Hamas. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) speaks at a press conference on October 18, 2023, on the state Capitol steps concerning state government action in response to recent deadly attacks in Israel by Hamas. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

The Rock at MSU is painted with “Free Palestine,” Oct. 10, 2023 | Angela Demas

Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Twp.) speaks at a press conference on October 18, 2023, on the state Capitol steps concerning state government action in response to recent deadly attacks in Israel by Hamas. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

authored by Anna Liz Nichols
First published at https%3A%2F%2Fmichiganadvance.com%2F2023%2F10%2F18%2Fsenate-oks-resolution-condemning-hamas-terrorist-attacks-on-israel-noting-palestinians-plight%2F