In a significant move, the House of Representatives has approved a resolution showing support for Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas. This resolution marks the first legislation to clear the lower chamber in over three weeks, primarily due to the Speaker stalemate. Led by newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the House passed the resolution with an overwhelming vote of 412-10-6, demonstrating a strong bipartisan stand in favor of Israel.

The resolution, spanning four pages, affirms the House's solidarity with Israel as it defends itself against the "barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists." It also reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, while condemning Hamas' brutal acts of aggression. The resolution further calls on Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, to immediately cease their violent attacks, safely release all living hostages, and return the bodies of the deceased hostages.

Hamas, responsible for an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7th, massacred over 1,000 civilians, kidnapped more than 200 people, and launched thousands of rockets across the country. Despite the release of four hostages by Hamas, approximately 220 individuals kidnapped from Israel remain captive in the Gaza Strip, with Americans and other nationalities among them. While the situation remains tense, Israel and the U.S. authorities have not confirmed any hostage deaths, as they express skepticism towards Hamas's claims.

The approval of this resolution has been long-awaited. Lawmakers from both political parties and chambers have expressed their desire to pass a resolution supporting Israel since the start of the recent conflict. However, the decision by eight House Republicans and Democrats to vote to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) plunged the House into a standstill, delaying the passage of such a measure. Without a permanent Speaker, legislative business was unable to proceed.

Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the importance of strong leadership in the House during the resolution's discussion. He emphasized the need to support Israel, stating, "Our nation's greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack." Realizing the urgency of the matter, he prioritized the resolution as his first bill since assuming the position of Speaker.

This resolution supporting Israel is unlikely to be the final action taken by the House. Last week, the White House introduced a supplemental funding request of approximately $100 billion, which includes support for Israel, Ukraine, border security, and allies in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the package has faced some opposition from certain Republicans who question the linking of aid between Israel and Ukraine. The topic of support for Kyiv has become polarizing within the House GOP conference, with some members calling for aid to be curtailed.

President Biden, vowing support for Israel in its battle against Hamas, referenced the supplemental funding request in a statement following Speaker Johnson's election. He urged swift action to address national security needs and prevent a potential shutdown in the coming weeks. Biden emphasized the importance of finding common ground despite political disagreements.

While the resolution won resounding approval in the House, it was not unanimous. Nine Democrats, including prominent figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), and Ilhan Omar (Minn.), opposed the resolution, along with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.). Additionally, six Democrats opted to vote "present" on the resolution.

Rep. Massie announced his opposition to the measure due to concerns regarding the resolution's call for the full enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Despite condemning the attack on Israel and supporting its right to self-defense, Massie raised objections over potential repercussions related to terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The passage of this resolution underscores the House's firm support for Israel and condemnation of Hamas' actions. As tensions persist in the region, further actions and measures are expected to address the ongoing situation.