ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 73

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 25, 1996

By Assemblyman ROMA and Assemblywoman WEINBERG

An Assembly Resolution condemning recent acts of terrorism in Israel by the military wing of the Islamic fundamentalist organization, Hamas, and urging continued efforts toward peace in the Middle East.

Whereas, Four recent suicide bombing attacks within nine days in Israel have resulted in the deaths of almost 60 men, women, and children and the injury of scores of other innocent persons; and

Whereas, The suicide bombers directed their savage and cowardly attacks at unsuspecting civilians, including at least one visiting resident of this State, who were engaged in such daily activities as riding the bus or browsing in shopping centers; and

Whereas, The military wing of Hamas, a Palestinian fundamentalist organization with a long history of terroristic violence dating back to the beginning of the Palestinian uprising in Israel in 1988, has claimed responsibility for all four of the suicide bombing attacks in Israel; and

Whereas, he goal of certain Hamas factions in carrying out these wanton and brutal attacks on Israeli civilians appears to be to stymy the hard-won Middle East peace process and revert to the armed conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples; and

Whereas, These dastardly terrorist acts carried out by a militant minority and the resulting military crackdown by Israel have indeed strained relations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and threaten the ongoing Middle East peace negotiations which are so cr43ucial to the welfare and tranquility of so many nations; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House condemns Hamas for these recent acts of terrorism and for its tactics which condone the slaughter of innocent civilians to achieve a political goal.

    2. This House further urges the Israelis and Palestinian people not

to be dissuaded from continued peace negotiations due to the violent acts of a militant minority.

STATEMENT

    This resolution condemns the recent acts of terrorism by the Palestinian organization, Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of close to 60 people and injuries to numerous others. This resolution further urges continued efforts toward peace in the Middle East despite the terrorism by Hamas.

Condemns recent acts of terrorism in Israel by Hamas and urges continued peace negotiations in the Middle East.