Sens. Gillibrand and Cruz file resolution to condemn Hamas use of ‘human shields’

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, filed a resolution with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to condemn the use of civilians as human shields by the terrorist group Hamas and support Israel’s right to self-defense.  A similar resolution is sponsored in the House by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Florida, and Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Florida.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Image/US Congress

“The use of human shields by Hamas is deplorable,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “The international community must stand up against this terrorist organization that is putting the people it claims to defend in harm’s way and support Israel’s right to defend its citizens.”

“Hamas is undoubtedly guilty of violating international humanitarian law through its deliberate, repeated, and consistent use of civilians as human shields,” said Sen. Cruz. “Hamas is engaged in a campaign of death that knows no boundaries or morals. The United States of America, along with the entire international community must expose and denounce Hamas’ barbaric tactics and unequivocally support Israel’s right to self-defense. This is not just an attack on Israel; it is an attack on free societies around the globe.”

Senators Gillibrand and Cruz’s resolution:

• Strongly condemns the brutal and illegal tactic by Hamas and other terrorist organizations of using innocent civilians as human shields
• Calls on the international community to recognize the grave breaches of international law committed by Hamas in using human shields
• Places responsibility for launching the rocket attacks on Hamas and other terrorist organizations, such as Islamic Jihad, in Gaza
• Supports the sovereign right of the Government of Israel to defend its territory and stop the rocket attacks on its citizens
• Expresses condolences to the families of the innocent victims on both sides of the conflict
• Supports Palestinian civilians who reject Hamas and all forms of terrorism, desiring to live in peace with their Israeli neighbors; and
• Calls on Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the use of innocent civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations

Senator Ted Cruz
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