GOP Blasts Shekarchi for Caving to “Fringe Group“ Over Resolution Supporting Israel

It all started on Thursday when a bipartisan resolution was introduced into the Rhode Island General Assembly that condemned the Hamas attack on Israel. This week was the first week that legislators had met since the October attack, which has now sparked a war in Gaza.

Top GOP House members unleashed on Democratic Speaker of the House, Joe Shekarchi, for blocking consideration of the resolution. Shekarchi sent the resolution to committee. The GOP cited numerous examples of other resolutions that went to the floor for consideration.

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“It is unfortunate the Democratic leadership is so concerned about backlash from the pro-Hamas wing of the party that they cannot even bring themselves to allow a vote on a bipartisan pro forma resolution condemning mass murder and rape of innocent civilians sponsored by nearly 2/3 of House members from all ends of the political spectrum,” said Representative Brian C. Newberry, a Republican. “The Democratic Party is being taken over in real time by radical leftists who glorify violence and the mainstream party leaders are too timid to stand up to it.  Their excuse was that the resolution was ‘controversial’.  I defy anyone to read it and tell me how it is ‘controversial’ to condemn rape, torture and murder by an officially designated terrorist organization directed at a close ally and denounced by President Biden.”

"It’s a fundamental duty of political leadership to confront and challenge those within our own ranks who openly and continually endorse crimes against humanity,” said GOP Minority Leader Michael Chippendale. “The silence or passive acceptance in the face of such horror, particularly in relation to the ongoing calls for Jewish genocide, is not just a failure of policy, but a moral failure. We must stand firmly against any form of support for such atrocities, regardless of political affiliation, and we must let the Israeli people know that the good people of Rhode Island support them in these trying times."

 

Shekarchi Defends His Actions

Shekarchi claims the GOP is politicizing the issue.

“I have strongly condemned the unspeakable terrorist attacks against Israel by Hamas since October 7 and I proudly participated in a vigil sponsored by the Jewish Alliance the next day.  I expect there will be numerous resolutions related to this topic in the coming weeks, and Representative Newberry will be given ample opportunity to present his Resolution when it is heard by the House Judiciary Committee.  It is disappointing that the House Republican Caucus has chosen to politicize these horrific events,” said Shekarchi.

 

And Newberry Fired Back

Newberry said in a follow-up to GoLocal, “It should be an absolute no-brainer to issue an expression of condolences to a strong ally of the United States and condemn mass rape, torture, and murder of civilians by a designated terrorist group.  I am sure the Speaker agrees with me on the sentiment.  Unfortunately he is worried about irritating a small but growing handful of leftist agitators.  My resolution is no different than past resolutions of support and condolences that have sailed through on immediate consideration in similar circumstances such as after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in France.  The Speaker’s Whip, Deputy Whip, Floor Manager, Deputy Speaker, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and nearly all his committee chairs as well as the immediate past chairman of the state Democratic Party signed the resolution as did the majority of the Democratic caucus.  This is not a partisan issue.  It is a matter of decency. Let me be clear – I know the Speaker agrees with me and with my resolution on the merits.  His actions show a fear of alienating a fringe group that he should frankly be condemning as well. He made a mistake.”

Co-signers of this resolution include Rhode Island House Representatives:  Brian C. Newberry (48), Mia Ackerman (45), Thomas E. Noret (25), Michael Chippendale (40), Alex S. Finkleman (74),  Jacquelyn M. Baginski, (17), Joseph Solomon (22), Barbara Ann Fenton Fung (15), Ramon A. Perez (13), Samuel A, Azzinaro (37), Raymond A. Hull (6), Camille Villa-Wilkinson (21), Edward T. Cardillo, Jr. (42), Robert E. Craven, Sr. (32), David J. Place (47), Brian Rea (53), Jason Knight (67), George A. Nardone (28), Stephen M. Casey (50), Julie A. Casimiro (31), Katherine S. Kazarian (63), Jennifer Boylan (66), William W. O’Brien (54), Lauren H. Carson (75), Megan L. Cotter (39), Jon D. Brien (49), Robert D. Phillips (51), Carol Hagan McEntee (33), Patricia Serpa (27), Deborah A. Fellela (43), Joseph M. McNamara (19), Gregory J. Costantino (44), Evan P. Shanley (24), Charlene Lima (14), Matthew S. Dawson (65), David A. Bennett (20), Susan R. Donovan (69), Marvin L. Abney (73), Justine Caldwell (30), Joshua J. Giraldo (56), Brandon Voas (57), Arthur Handy (18), Mary Messier (62), Kathleen Fogarty (35), Terri Cortvriend (72), Sherry Roberts (29), Nathan Biah (3), John G. Edwards (70), Alex Marszalkowski (52)                                                            

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