At Tuesday’s meeting of Maine’s Legislative Council, Rep. Reagan Paul presented an emergency proposal for a resolution supporting Israel’s right to use decisive military force to defend itself against Hamas.
“I believe that it is imperative for this legislative body to display their support for the people and nation of Israel, especially after the overt displays of antisemitism we’ve seen around the nation and in our own state,” said Rep. Paul
Paul’s proposal would have issued a joint resolution in support of Israel, imitating the language of a similar resolution in support of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of that country.
In presenting the bill to the Legislative Council, Paul read the resolution supporting Ukraine, which passed with bipartisan support, and asked members of the council to substitute “Israel” for “Ukraine.”
Many Maine Democrats previously gave impassioned speeches in support of Ukraine, yet Paul’s proposal met with unanimous dissent from Democrats on the Legislative Council.
In an interview with The Maine Wire, Paul pointed out that the Democrats should have even more reason to support Israel than they did Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian war is a conflict between two corrupt nations. The Israeli conflict came as a result of a barbaric attack on the only democracy in the Middle East by a terrorist organization,” said Paul.
Paul’s proposal failed, with all four Republicans supporting it, and the five Democrats present opposing the resolution.
“Their support and sympathy for defending borders and humanitarian concerns does not seem to extend to our oldest ally in the Middle East, making their outrage with Russia of ‘inhumane attacks on civilians, torture and sexual violence’ seem rather hollow,” said Paul.
Rep. Kristin Cloutier (D-Lewiston) left the meeting early, and was absent for the vote on Paul’s resolution.
[RELATED: Pro-Palestine Protestors Once Again Target One of Maine’s Largest Blue-Collar Employers…]
Paul’s resolution comes after recent protests supporting Palestine and calling for the destruction of Israel, which targeted one of the largest blue-collar employers in Maine.
“Maine Democrats had a chance to boldly stand with our ally Israel and Jewish Mainers and they refused. When there are no consequences to bad behavior, it will lead to the inevitable emboldening of those in opposition to Israel and her struggle to exist,” said Paul.
