The Kansas Senate and House of Representatives both passed resolutions supporting the State of Israel and condemning the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel.
The resolutions were passed on Jan. 8, the first day of the 2024 legislative session and 93 days after Oct. 7. Both resolutions used identical language and passed unamended.
The calls of the resolutions were for condemnation of the Oct. 7 attacks; reaffirming Kansas’ support and cooperation with Israel; demanding the unconditional safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas; supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend itself and its citizens; and rejecting all forms of antisemitism.
Points highlighted in the resolutions largely focus on the Oct. 7 attacks and their subsequent effects, placing “the blame for all violence that occurred on October 7 and thereafter on Hamas, who in their founding charter have stated their intent to exterminate both Israel and the Jewish people at any cost.”
“Hamas has murdered, burned, raped, beheaded and disfigured over 1,400 Israelis, including hundreds of women, children and elderly, throughout southern Israel while concurrently launching indiscriminate rocket attacks across the entirety of Israel,” the resolutions state. Other points include that Oct. 7 was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon.
The hostage crisis is also prominent in the resolutions; they include the facts that more than 240 hostages, ranging in age between nine months and 86 years, were taken into Gaza, and more than half of the hostages taken are still in captivity.
Local Kansas-related aspects include that the 400% national increase in antisemitism has included incidents at the University of Kansas and that local Jewish communities have had to increase security, “similar to the security presence required after the 2014 antisemitic attacks in Overland Park.”
"The heinous Oct. 7 attacks devastated Jewish communities around the world, and the pain of this hateful violence was — and is — felt right here in Kansas," said Neta Meltzer, director of community and government relations at Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee, in a statement. "In a moment that feels existential to the Jewish community, we look to our elected leaders to demonstrate moral clarity and stand on the right side of history. Our communities are grateful to the resolution sponsors for their leadership and to all who voted in support of these resolutions, which send a message of solidarity, safety and support to the Jewish community at a time when we need it most."
Jewish community members Rep. Dan Osman and Sen. Ethan Corson were two of the multiple cosponsors of the resolutions in their respective branches.
House vote
In the House, the resolution (HR 6030) was sponsored by 61 representatives, including Osman. It was adopted 106-14 (with five absent or not voting) with no amendments.
“This was not a military incursion,” Osman said at the session about the Oct. 7 attacks. “There were no rules of combat that they held themselves to. The only rule was Hamas rule… Hamas' goal is the destruction of Israel. Its plan is the elimination and extermination of every Jew in the region. On Oct. 7, they put their plan into motion. And frankly, without the Iron Dome they would have succeeded.
“[Hamas hides] missiles exclusively in civilian areas, making the entirety of Palestine a human shield, because casualties on their end are irrelevant, so long as they achieve their goal,” he continued. “...There's no peaceful solution, so long as Hamas is in power… [Israel has] asked for our support. They need our support, and I am standing up here to give them that support today,” he said.
Osman said he is “proud to have been able to speak on this important issue,” and he heard from several representatives that his speech shifted their vote.
Rep. Barb Wasinger also spoke at the session, comparing Hamas tactics to those of the Nazis during the Holocaust.
“Where’s the outrage?” she asked. “[Hamas] is targeting women and children and raping women and children, and no one seems to talk about that… We need to stand behind Israel… and we cannot watch as Hamas tries to do exactly what Hitler did.”
Amendments were proposed by Reps. Rui Xu and Dennis Highberger, the latter of which including language on deaths of civilian Palestinians and the “[displacement of Palestinians] from their ancestral homes as a result of events surrounding the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948, have lived under occupation or blockade by the State of Israel since 1967… with no end to their suffering in sight.” Both amendments were rejected.
The 14 representatives who voted against the resolution submitted explanations of their votes. Most of them said that the resolution does not acknowledge the situation of civilian Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
“Thousands, including children, have died in Israeli airstrikes. Thousands more are injured or displaced. Humanitarian groups warn of catastrophe as supplies run out. Hamas's crimes don't justify further war crimes,” wrote Reps. Dennis Highberger, Allison Hougland, Sydney Carlin, Anfela Martinez, Silas Miller, Ford Carr, Barbara Ballard and Mike Amyx.
Additionally, five representatives who voted in favor of the resolution submitted explanations of why they support the bill but have concerns about parts of the resolution.
“My yes vote on HR 6030 today reflects the portions of this resolution in which I am in agreement, but I am casting this vote for less than perfect measures,” wrote Reps. Nikki McDonald, Tobias Schlingensiepen, Kirk Haskins and Vic Miller. “I must point out that I find it astonishing that this resolution makes no mention of the suffering and deaths of the innocent Palestinian civilians including thousands of children, or the urgent and critical need to find a negotiated and just solution that protects the human rights of all people.”
Senate vote
In the Senate, the resolution (SR 1729) was sponsored by 17 senators, including Corson. It was adopted 34-6.
Sen. Kellie Warren, a resident of Leawood, spoke at the session, recounting her memories of how the 2014 shootings outside of Village Shalom and The J “rocked the Jewish community in [her] area.”
“I’ve spoken to someone who attends the Jewish Community Center very frequently, and they have very often three squad cars now at the facility,” she said. “The trend and the rise and increase in antisemitism should anchor us all at this moment in history. We must have the courage of our convictions, and that's why this resolution is so crucial. We must make it clear that we stand with Israel, that the blame for what has occurred is squarely with Hamas. As Americans, we should stand against antisemitism in all its forms as it degrades our values… Israel has an unequivocal right to defend itself. We must state that boldly and clearly and never waver.”
Most of the senators who chose to speak in the senate subsequently expressed reservations about passing the resolution based on the situation of civilian Palestinians.
Speaking of his multiple trips to and tours of Israel, Sen. David Haley condemned antisemitism and the 2014 shootings, but voted against the resolution, citing his concern about “the aggressive taking of innocent lives who are being caught up in this conflict that is outside of Israel's border.”
Sen. John Doll voted against the resolution, saying he was raised to “love the person but not necessarily love the act.” He said that there are no resolutions for the killing and violence in Ukraine, Russia or Chicago, and that “[terrorists] are doing what they’re told. They’re doing what they’re taught. We need to teach them differently.”
Sen. Marci Francisco called the resolution “political theater,” saying “Kansas can do little to demand the unconditional safe return of the hostages and certainly should consider withholding a placement of all blame before we learn of the findings of the International Court of Justice regarding allegations of genocide.” She also expressed concerns for Israeli and Palestinian residents’ safety in her constituency.
In addition to also saying that Kansas legislature cannot do anything to influence the Israel-Hamas War, Sen. Dinah Sykes said, “I stand with those who reject the crime of intentionally targeting civilians. However, that violence is aided and abetted when we oversimplify history and ignore nuance… Let me be clear: I do not condone antisemitism. I do not support terror. This resolution trivializes human suffering in a way that does not lead to justice, peace or joy.”