Terrorism (2002)

WHEREAS Jewish tradition has its paramount principle the sanctity and pursuit of life as exemplified in the Torah with the words, "You shall keep My Laws and rules, by the pursuit of which one shall live" (Lev. 18:5) and Jewish tradition teaches that deliberate indiscriminate killing is murder, and;

WHEREAS Jewish tradition supports the establishment of a basic normative order and governance that ensures peace and security for the citizens of all lands as exemplified by the instructions of Moses to Jethro in Exodus 18, and;

WHEREAS Jewish tradition teaches that failure to exercise authority against violence can lead to its proliferation.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism express its gratitude to President George W. Bush for his forceful and forthright actions combating the terrorism of Islamic Jihad and Hamas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue thank the leaders of the world who have supported these efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue support the actions of the United States government and its allies to eliminate terrorism world-wide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as people of faith, the United Synagogue call on all people of faith to condemn the claim that suicide bombings are a religious act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue unequivocally condemn acts of violence and terrorism by members of our community and call upon all people of faith to join us; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue call upon all members of the US Senate and House of Representatives to support and/or cosponsor S 1409 and HR 1795, requiring that sanctions be imposed on the PLO and the Palestinian Authority if the President cannot certify that they are meeting their commitment to fight terrorism and end their use of violence.