Proposed Michigan resolution urges federal support for Israeli statehood, targets Hamas threats

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gina Johnsen, emphasizes that "The State of Israel has a right to exist, and denying this is a form of antisemitism."

Lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives have introduced a resolution urging the US government to back Israel's right to statehood and take measures to prevent Hamas from eliminating the Jewish state on Tuesday.

House Resolution 372, introduced by Rep. Gina Johnsen and sponsored by Rep. Joseph Fox and Rep. Tim Kelly, is officially described as "A resolution to urge the United States government to take action to support Israel’s right to statehood and prevent Hamas and other groups from succeeding in their efforts to eliminate the only Jewish state, and to call on the Governor to review department policies to ensure they are not antisemitic."

The resolution traces the historical context behind the measure, noting that "The Jewish people are native to the Land of Israel. However, throughout history and across the reign of multiple kingdoms, the Jewish people were persecuted and expelled from the Land of Israel, forced to live as minority diaspora communities in other lands."

The text highlights that "This genocide provided new urgency to re-establish a Jewish homeland for the Jewish people, where they would not be a vulnerable minority, where they could freely practice their faith, and where something like the Holocaust could never happen again."

Resolution labels threats to Israel's existence as antisemitism

The measure further points out that once Israel was established, "other countries and terrorist entities continued to attack Israel, reject its right to exist, and call for its destruction," while adding that the events of October 7 "demonstrate that Israel continues to face existential threats to this day."

The resolution emphasizes that "The State of Israel has a right to exist, and denying this is a form of antisemitism."

The resolution stated that "When public officials use antisemitic rhetoric, it has harmful effects on the Jewish community and our broader society. The espousal or endorsement of such beliefs is anti democratic and contrary to the founding principles of our nation and the state of Michigan, and the use of such harmful language can be a precursor to further human rights abuses."

The text formally requests that the state governor conduct a comprehensive review of department policies and administrative guidelines to ensure they remain entirely free from antisemitism.

Following its formal introduction on the House floor, the measure was referred directly to the House Committee on Government Operations for further review and committee consideration on Tuesday.