House Adopts Resolutions Supporting Consulate General & Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today welcomed Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, to the House Chamber.
“On behalf of the House, I want to say how honored we were to have this great leader with us. It was my privilege to welcome to the House Chamber Ambassador Shorer,” said Speaker Ralston. “Ambassador Shorer came to us today representing one of the tru
e great allies of our nation. Israel and the United States share a unique bond, as both of our nations cherish and pursue freedom and peace. As a result, both of our nations have been targeted and terrorized by those who wish to spread fear and violence. We stand strong, and we stand up to those who would threaten our way of life.”
“I thank you for your strong continuing support of Israel, especially this year as we celebrate our 70th year of independence,” said Ambassador Shorer. “I’m also very appreciative of your support of House resolutions and bills that passed both chambers this year. These resolutions and bills affirmed by the 2018 Georgia General Assembly reaffirm the bond of friendship and cooperation between the state of Georgia and the state of Israel and works to create a memorial to Holocaust, which means a great deal to the Jewish community.”
Ambassador Shorer was presented with copies of House Resolution 1469 and House Resolution 1470, which were adopted on Monday, March 19. Both resolutions were sponsored by Rep. Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville). Speaker Ralston was a co-sponsor of both resolutions.
House Resolution 1469 urges the government of Israel to maintain its Consulate General in Atlanta. House Resolution 1470 expresses the Georgia General Assembly’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and expresses support for the move of the U.S. Embassy to Israel’s capital.
Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer has served as the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States since July 2015. Ambassador Shorer is a nearly 40-year veteran of the Israeli diplomatic corps. She is a former ambassador to both Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as a former minister of congressional affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. Her most recent post was desk director at the Center for Policy Research.
David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) is the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. He represents Fannin and Gilmer counties as well as a portion of Dawson County.
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