BY: RACHEL MIPRO Kansas Reflector
Lawmakers argue over the necessity of passing geopolitical resolution on Monday
TOPEKA — Putting aside taxes, looming drought and other policy issues, Kansas lawmakers voted to affirm state support of Israel in their first legislative action of the session.
Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, who carried the motion on the Senate floor Monday, referenced the anti-semitic shootings of 2014, in which three people were killed outside a Jewish community center in Overland Park, along with spikes in anti-semitic hate crimes in recent months to justify the move.
Warren argued the state Legislature needs to defend Israel and all of the actions taken by Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
“That incident rocked the Jewish community in our area. … We must remember that Israel is America’s predominant ally in the Middle East. It is the only true democracy in the Middle East,” Warren said. “Israel has always stood with us and our allies, and we must stand with them. Israel has an unequivocal right to defend itself. We must state that boldly and clearly and never waver. Everything that has occurred in Gaza is the result of Hamas leadership.”
During the October attack, militants located in the Palestinian territory of Gaza launched a multi-pronged attack on Israeli cities, killing an estimated 1,200 people.
The attack started the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has led to thousands of casualties in the Gaza Strip. Some support for Israel has begun to wane as the its siege of the area led to a humanitarian crisis. A quarter of the Gaza population is reported to be starving, without adequate resources.
Some Kansas lawmakers expressed frustration with the speedy debate and passage of the resolution, which did not appear on either chamber’s agenda. The first day of session typically is reserved for ceremonial procedures, such as taking group photos.
However, on Monday, lawmakers chose to introduce and then advance the resolution for a final vote in less than an hour, declaring a state of emergency to get around procedural rules.
“Our legislative process is broken,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “Senate Republican leadership is once again putting the needs of special interests ahead of everyday Kansas citizens by pushing through a roll call vote on the very first day of the 2024 legislative session.”
Senate lawmakers passed the resolution 34-6.
In the House, several lawmakers tried to amend the resolution’s language. Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, said the resolution did not give a “complete picture” of the situation. Xu condemned the actions of Oct. 7, but said in the months since the attack, the situation has become nuanced.
“I don’t think what this body needs to or should do is give, in perpetuity, complete absolution to the government of Israel for everything that has happened since then,” Xu said.
Another amendment by Rep. Boog Highberger, D-Lawrence, called for an end to the Gaza blockade, the occupation of the West Bank, and for the U.S. government to work toward a “just and lasting peace.”
The amendments did not gain traction, and the unchanged resolution passed 106-14 in the House.
Warren, along with Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson issued a joint statement following the passage.
“People were listening to us today and the Senate stood united with one, clear, unequivocal voice,” the statement read. “We stood firm in support of our ally Israel and in condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, and made it clear that antisemitism has no place in society in any form. From this stand, we must never waver.”
Republican leadership in the House also sent out a statement on the vote, emphasizing “Kansas’ support and cooperation with the State of Israel.”
“House Republicans stand steadfast in solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people and offer our continued prayers for safety, peace, and healing for our strongest Middle Eastern ally as they defend their freedom and democratic way of life,” the statement read.