III 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 484 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 5, 2023 Mr. Manchin (for himself and Ms. Collins ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Condemning the terrorist organization Hamas.

Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides the right to free speech, to peacefully assemble, and to practice one’s religion without fear of persecution; Whereas the First Amendment does not provide the right to engage in defamation, or to threaten or incite violence in support of the ideology of terrorist organizations; Whereas there have been protests across the United States in support of Hamas in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip; Whereas the majority of protests have been peaceful assemblies in support of Israelis and Palestinians; Whereas a small minority of individuals has used the conflict to sow animosity and violence in support of terrorist groups such as Hamas; Whereas Hamas is a terrorist organization, supported by the current Iranian regime, dedicated to destroying the Jewish state of Israel through any means necessary; Whereas Hamas does not protect or support the Palestinian people, but uses them to shield its weapons and militants; Whereas Israel, exercising its right to self-defense, uses its military to shield its people; Whereas antisemitism is fundamental to the principles of Hamas, whose heinous attacks led to the single worst mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust; Whereas constructive dialogue on peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis has been co-opted by Hamas to further create division between the majority of the Palestinian and Israeli people who are simply seeking a peaceful and prosperous life; and Whereas terrorist organizations, acts of terrorism, and the misinformation perpetrated by terrorist organizations should never be defended or sympathized with: Now, therefore, be it