Iowa House passes resolution supporting Israel, denouncing antisemitism

DES MOINES — The Iowa House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday reaffirming its support for Israel and denouncing all forms of antisemitism.

Lawmakers voted down amendments offered by Democrats to apply the condemnation to white nationalist leaders pardoned by President Donald Trump, and to say the support is conditioned on Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of innocent civilian lives.

The resolution passed with bipartisan support 76-10, with all Republicans and several Democrats in favor.

House lawmakers passed a similar resolution last year by voice vote, declaring the chamber’s support for Israel and its continued campaign in Gaza against Hamas, drawing protest from activists calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war.

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Israel’s defense minister vowed Wednesday that “all hell will break loose” on Hamas if it fails to free hostages as planned, stepping up threats against the militant group as mediators worked to salvage their ceasefire, the Associated Press reported.

Hamas had said it would delay releasing hostages on Saturday after accusing Israel of failing to meet some commitments under the truce, including the delivery of aid, the AP reported.

Hamas is meant to free 33 hostages taken during its cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war. Eight of them are said to be dead. Twenty-one have been released so far, along with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.

The Iowa House resolution states Iowa and Israel “have enjoyed a long-standing and robust partnership” and “share a deep cultural and religious connection.”

It states the Iowa House “stands in solidarity with the victims and families in Israel affected by the horrific attack ... by Hamas, a radical terrorist organization, and fervently hopes for the safe return of all remaining hostages taken on that day.”

“Iowa remains committed to supporting the State of Israel’s sovereignty and absolute right to exist and defend itself against terrorism and threats to its people,” the resolution continues.

It states the Iowa House condemns any form of antisemitism, terrorism, or violence that seeks to undermine Israel’s security or the well-being of Jewish communities.

It also supports Israel’s sovereignty and “right to pursue, without interference or condemnation, the elimination of any terrorist group until all such groups are permanently neutralized and Israelis can live in peace.”

Dem amendments

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Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, the first Arab American member of the Iowa Legislature, offered an amendment to strike the paragraph and replace it with language stating the Iowa House’s support is conditioned on Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of innocent civilian lives.

His amendment also would have reaffirmed the Iowa House’s commitment to human rights and condemns acts “by any party that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, or indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations.”

“When our country conducted drone strikes in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria that resulted in civilian deaths, it was right for us to investigate,” Scheetz said on the House floor. “It was right for us to hold ourselves accountable, and it was right to acknowledge that mistakes were made. And yet this resolution suggests that Israel should be immune from any scrutiny, no matter what the consequences.”

The amendment was voted down along party lines, with Republicans opposed.

Civilian deaths

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Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, who introduced the resolution, argued that Israel has taken great measures to prevent civilian deaths and that the blame for civilian casualties should be placed on Hamas for using “civilians as human shields.”

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, Gaza’s Health Ministry said last month.

The Israeli military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in residential areas. Israel also has repeatedly struck what it claims are militants hiding in shelters and hospitals, often killing women and children.

“We cannot claim to stand with the Jewish people while we turn a blind eye to innocent Palestinian families who suffer when war spirals beyond self-defense,” Scheetz responded. “If we believe in the dignity of all people — Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli and American — then we should say so. ... This amendment makes our resolution stronger, our principles clear, and our support for Israel more credible.”

Trump’s pardons

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Rep. Adam Zabner, D-Iowa City, who is Jewish and has family in Israel, offered an amendment that was voted down, stating the House’s denunciation of antisemitism also include President Donald Trump’s pardoning of the leaders of extremist groups with ties to white nationalism, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

“We are talking about groups that glorify Hitler. People that wore T-shirts at the U.S. Capitol that said ‘camp Auschwitz’ pardoned by the president of the United States,” Zabner said. “If we're serious about condemning anti semitism, this must be part of the conversation.”

Harris called the amendment unnecessary as the resolution already condemns antisemitism.

“This isn't a resolution about Donald Trump,” he said. “This isn't a resolution about January 6.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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