U.S. House of Representatives Passes Resolution Condemning Islamic Republic's Attacks on Israel; Emphasizes Israel's Right to Self-Defense

On Thursday, April 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Resolution 1143, condemning the Islamic Republic's attacks on Israel and emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense. This resolution, prepared by Republican Tom Kean from New Jersey and Democrat Jared Moskowitz from Florida, condemns the unprecedented drone and missile attacks by the Islamic Republic on Israel and stresses Israel's right to defend itself through military, diplomatic, economic, and other means. The resolution calls on all governments worldwide to condemn the Islamic Republic's attacks and praises the cooperation of the U.S., U.K., France, and Jordan in intercepting and destroying projectiles fired by the Iranian regime at Israel. This bipartisan resolution demands the full implementation of sanctions against the Islamic Republic's nuclear, missile, and drone programs, as well as against the financing of 'terrorist' groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis, and militias in Syria and Iraq by the Islamic Republic. During the one-hour voting session, several lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties condemned the Islamic Republic's attacks on Saturday night and expressed solidarity with the country and people of Israel. Tom Kean reminded the session of incidents such as the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, thousands of projectiles fired by Hezbollah, over 170 proxy attacks by the Islamic Republic on U.S. forces in the region, and more than 100 attacks by the Houthis on international ships, stating that these actions pose a threat not only to Israel but also to the U.S. and all its partners. Following him, Gregory Meeks, a senior Democratic lawmaker and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, referred to the firing of over 300 missiles and drones at Israeli citizens, both Jewish and Muslim, by the Islamic Republic, and expressed condolences to the family of a 9-year-old Arab girl injured as a result of this attack. Gregory Meeks further emphasized Israel's right to self-defense and urged the Israeli government to act 'intelligently and strategically' in response to the Iranian regime. Next, Kevin Kiley, a Democratic lawmaker from California, firmly supported the proposed resolution and praised the regional countries' support for Israel during the Saturday night attack, noting that the Iranian regime strongly opposes the Abraham Accords and regional cooperation with Israel. Steve Scalise, the Republican majority leader in the House, also emphasized Israel's right to self-defense and stated that any choice the Israeli government makes regarding how to respond to Saturday night's attacks should face full support from the U.S. Ultimately, the bipartisan resolution was decisively passed with 404 votes in favor and 14 against. New sanctions against the Islamic Republic's drone program; Biden: America is committed to Israel's security. America: The decision on how to respond to the Islamic Republic's attacks is with Israel. Consequences of the attack on Israel; Europeans are considering tightening sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The U.K. imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic in coordination with the United States. The President of the European Commission: The Islamic Republic's attack on Israel is a sign of a new alliance of autocrats. Israel welcomes the EU's action to impose further sanctions against the IRGC and the Islamic Republic. Gallant: The Islamic Republic's attack failed; the skies of the Middle East are open to the Israeli Air Force.