The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has strongly praised the South Carolina General Assembly’s unanimous passage of House Resolution 4339, as well as its author, State Representative Alan D. Clemmons. The bill explicitly states that “Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others, and that peace can be afforded to the region only through a united Israel governed under one law for all people.” The strong and honest language used in this resolution necessarily recognizes that Jerusalem and the West Bank must remain united under Israeli sovereignty for the sake of peace and security. As explained by Rep. Clemmons to the media, the resolution was also intended as an “indictment of President Obama’s Middle East Policy”, and serves as a clear demonstration of the true will of the American People, who want to see Israel supported by their government rather than pressured and mistreated. 

The text of South Carolina’s H.R. 4339 in its entirety:

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND THE NATION OF ISRAEL FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Israel has been granted her lands under and through the oldest recorded deed as reported in the Old Testament, a tome of scripture held sacred and reverenced by Jew and Christian, alike, as the acts and words of God; and

Whereas, as the Grantor of said lands, God stated to the Jewish people in the Old Testament; in Leviticus, Chapter 20, Verse 24: “Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey”; and

Whereas, God has never rescinded his grant of said lands; and

Whereas, along with the grant of said lands to the Jewish people, God provided for the non-Jewish residents of the land in commanding that governance must be in one law for all without drawing distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish citizens, as contained in Leviticus 24:22; and

Whereas, the Nation of Israel declared its independent control and governance of said lands on May 14, 1948, with the goal of reestablishing their God-given lands as a homeland for the Jewish people; and

Whereas, the United States of America, having been the first country to recognize Israel as an independent nation and as Israel’s principal ally, has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Israel and her people; and

Whereas, indeed, Israel is the United States of America’s greatest friend in the Mideast; and

Whereas, the roots of Israel and the roots of the United States are so intertwined that it is difficult to separate one from the other under the word and protection of almighty God; and

Whereas, there are those in the Middle East who have sought to destroy Israel from its inception as a nation; and

Whereas, those same haters of Israel also hate, and seek to destroy, the United States of America; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina and the nation of Israel have enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial relations since 1948, a friendship that continues to strengthen with each passing year. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend the nation of Israel for its relations with the United States of America and with the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that the members of this body support Israel in their natural and God-given right of self-governance and self-defense upon their own lands, recognizing that Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others, and that peace can be afforded the region only through a united Israel governed under one law for all people.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of each of South Carolina’s sister states within the United States of America with the request and recommendation of this body that a similar resolution to that stated herein be proposed within their respective bodies.

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ZOA National President Morton A. Klein and ZOA Florida Director Joseph Sabag said, “We strongly praise Representative Clemmons and all members of the South Carolina State Legislature for their forthright assertion of the basic truth that Israel is America’s most reliable and essential ally, and support of Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.  They also recognized that Israel has the stronger political, legal, historical, and religious right to Judea and Samaria.  As explained to ZOA and to the media by Representative Clemmons, this resolution was specifically intended to be a bipartisan criticism of the Obama Administration’s misguided and hurtful approach to U.S.-Israel relations. We know of no other state legislature that has gone so far, or has been so assertive of the truth, in clearly expressing the will of its people to stand with Israel. We are certain that this resolution, with its unanimous bipartisan passage, is the true bellwether of how the American People wish to see relations with Israel handled. We look forward to seeing the other 49 states follow the terrific example set by South Carolina, and strongly encourage them to do so.”