(1) A state of armed conflict exists between Israel and the Hamas regime controlling Gaza. Hamas has launched 10,000 rockets against Israeli civilians, and is presently smuggling in arms and military supplies into Gaza, by land and sea, in order to fortify its positions and continue its attacks.
(2) Under international law, Israel has the right to protect the lives of its civilians from Hamas attacks, and, consequently, has undertaken measures to defend itself, including the imposition of a maritime blockade to curb Hamas rearmament. Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no vessels can enter the blockaded area. Its use of force for soldiers to defend themselves is also acceptable under international law.
(3) Hamas is a terrorist organization recognized by the United States and the European Union whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel. Hamas has also illegally taken control of Gaza and has used rockets, mortars, and suicide bombs to kill hundreds of Israelis and Americans inside of Israel, which it continues to this day.
(4) Hamas is funded and directly supported by Iran which uses it as a proxy to fight Israel. In addition, Iran recently announced it would send Iranian ships to escort future ships attempting to break the Gaza blockade.
(5) In 2002, Israel intercepted the Karine A which was found to be carrying 50 tons of weapons destined for Hamas and, in 2009, Israel intercepted the Francop carrying hundreds of tons of weapons destined for Hezbollah.
(6) Israel allows approximately 15,000 tons of supplies to enter Gaza on a daily basis. In the last 18 months over a million tons of humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza from Israel.
(7) Even though Israel repeatedly warned the flotilla it would not be allowed entry in to Gaza and offered to deliver to Gaza the humanitarian goods that the flotilla was carrying, Israel was rebuffed.
(8) Greta Berlin, one of the leaders of the flotilla, admitted the purpose was not to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza but rather to end the blockade.
(9) The main organizer of the flotilla was the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which has publicly affirmed its links to Hamas, maintains an office in Gaza, and has ties to other terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda, and several of the passengers on the flotilla have links or have provided financial support to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and al-Qaeda.
(10) According to its Web site, the United Nations Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations consisting of 47 countries responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. However, its members include such notorious violators of human rights as China, Cuba, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. In addition, the Human Rights Council has produced the deeply flawed and biased United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (Goldstone Report) which was rejected by the Obama Administration and Congress, and at least 27 resolutions specifically condemning Israel.
U.S. Congress - Text of H.R.5501 as Introduced in House America Stands with Israel Act
