County presents resolution in support of Israel following Hamas attack

The Hood County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution on Oct. 24 in support of the state of Israel and its citizens following the recent Hamas attack.

On Oct. 7, the Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly organized and unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens.

According to the proclamation read by Precinct 2 Commissioner Nannette Samuelson during a regular meeting of the court, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the state of Israel and has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

During its attack, Hamas fired thousands of rockets against Israeli population centers in an attempt to kill untold numbers of innocent civilians, according to the proclamation.

The proclamation also states that the level of logistical sophistication demonstrated in this Hamas terrorism operation indicates its receipt of support and funding from foreign state sponsors of terror, namely Iran.

Additionally, the timing of the Hamas terrorism operation to coincide with the observance of the Jewish Sabbath and celebration of the Sukkoth holiday demonstrates the intent to maximize civilian casualties, according to the proclamation.

Hamas also continues to brazenly locate elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers using civilians as human shields, the proclamation states.

“On October 7, 2023, we woke up to the news of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, being attacked by terrorists,” Samuelson said, who placed the resolution on the agenda. “As Israel stated, this was their 9/11. Hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed and hundreds more taken hostage including American citizens. I was inspired by the Texas State Legislature passing a resolution in support of Israel and thought every county in Texas should do the same. It starts with Hood.”

With approval of the proclamation, the Hood County Commissioners Court does hereby:

1. Reaffirm its support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the state of Israel;
2. Recognize Israel's right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens;
3. Express its support for Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured;
4. Convey its most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities;
5. Call upon Hood County law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times;
6. Encourage all other Texas counties to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens;
7. Call upon the United States to provide all assistance as may be required to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations.

Following the presentation, the Hood County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve the resolution in support of the state of Israel and its citizens.