In his debut as the new Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives, Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson wasted no time in taking action. Late Wednesday, Johnson introduced a non-binding resolution expressing support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas terrorists. The resolution, which received bipartisan support, emphasizes the United States' commitment to its "dear, dear friend Israel" and condemns Hamas' brutal war tactics.

Johnson, in his acceptance speech, stressed the urgency of the resolution, stating that America's "greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack." As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, the non-binding declaration serves as an important symbolic gesture reaffirming the House's solidarity with Israel.

The resolution, which does not allocate funding to Israel's military needs, was passed with a resounding majority of 412 votes in favor and only 10 votes against. Notably, nine Democrats and one Republican opposed the measure. The Democrats who voted against the resolution expressed their concern that it did not acknowledge the Palestinians who have lost their lives in the conflict.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 when approximately 2,500 Hamas gunmen infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,400 people, majority of whom were civilians. In addition to the lives lost, thousands were injured and at least 224 individuals were taken hostage in Gaza.

Israel has responded to the attacks with extensive airstrikes in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear due to conflicting reports, the figures provided by the Gaza health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, include both its own militants and civilians.

The passage of this resolution comes at a critical time when the Biden administration has promised military support to Israel but has sought congressional legislation to secure consistent funding for the country. The resolution, although non-binding, serves as an important statement of support from the US House of Representatives.

President Joe Biden recently called to congratulate Speaker Mike Johnson on his appointment and stressed the need for responsible action to address upcoming challenges such as funding the government and providing aid to Ukraine and Israel. Failure to pass funding legislation by the November 17 deadline could result in a federal government shutdown.

Speaker Johnson, who also visited Israel in 2020, is expected to play a crucial role in leading his deeply divided party in upcoming debates over funding for Ukraine and Israel. While being the least experienced speaker in the post-Civil War era, Johnson's appointment marks a fresh start for the Republican party as they seek to move forward and address both domestic and international crises.

As tensions in the Middle East persist, the resolution introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson serves as a symbolic show of support for Israel and condemnation of Hamas' tactics. While the resolution lacks the power to enact tangible change, its passage reaffirms the strong alliance between the United States and Israel at a crucial juncture in their shared history.