State Rep. Luke Meerman today criticized the Democrat leadership of the Michigan House of Representatives for its decision not to bring a resolution condemning Hamas and reaffirming support for Israel before the House for a vote.

“I am disappointed in the decision by those in leadership to remain silent on this humanitarian crisis,” said Meerman, R-Coopersville. “An unprovoked atrocity occurred last weekend and anything short of condemning Hamas terrorists placates outright evil. Hamas targeted civilians, children, and U.S. citizens. Hundreds were senselessly killed, and an unknown number are now hostages across the Israeli border.”

Meerman co-sponsored House Resolution 146, which had more than 50 co-sponsors including six Democrats. Still, Democrat leadership referred it to the Committee on Government Operations instead of bringing it before the full House of Representatives for a vote of support. The Government Operations Committee is widely known for shelving legislation that a majority caucus has no intention of advancing.

“The Legislature must let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that we stand with the State of Israel and condemn the violence perpetuated by the terrorist organization Hamas,” Meerman said. “This brutal atrocity has taken the lives of defenseless Israeli citizens and our own countrymen. While we mourn for the State of Israel, terrorists in Gaza are celebrating their coordinated attack on the innocent.

“We must reaffirm our support for Israel’s right to defend its borders, its right to bring its captured citizens home, and its very right to exist. Hamas killed innocent children and infants. Hamas kidnapped women and children. Evil cannot go unpunished, and we must stand for the people of Israel and the families that have been torn apart.”

Hamas terrorists launched indiscriminate rocket attacks into civilian areas, sent infiltrators into Israeli towns and systematically executed civilians – including children and the elderly – on the heels of the 50-year anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The weekend also marked Simchat Torah in Israel, a Jewish religious observance where the yearly cycle of Torah reading is completed and the next cycle begins.

Roughly 1,200 people in Israel have been killed in the attacks. This number includes at least 22 U.S. citizens so far. Almost 300 people were massacred at a music festival in the southern part of the country where Hamas members entered by land, sea, and air from the nearby Gaza Strip. Hamas has also taken an unknown number of people hostage back across the border, including possibly U.S. citizens.

###