[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1249 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1249

Urging the Government of the Republic of Iraq to recognize the right of 
the State of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with 
                    Israel, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 5, 2008

Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Crowley, and Mr. 
  Hare) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Urging the Government of the Republic of Iraq to recognize the right of 
the State of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with 
                    Israel, and for other purposes.

Whereas on November 29, 1947, the United Nations approved United Nations General 
        Assembly Resolution 181, which provided for the establishment of an 
        independent Jewish state, which later became the State of Israel;
Whereas under President Truman, the United States was the first country to 
        recognize Israel after it declared its statehood;
Whereas the following countries still do not recognize Israel's right to exist: 
        Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Chad, 
        Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, 
        Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Niger, North Korea, Oman, 
        Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United 
        Arab Emirates, and Yemen;
Whereas Israel is the most reliable ally of the United States in the Middle East 
        region and is an important strategic partner of the United States;
Whereas Israel signed bilateral peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and with 
        Jordan in 1994, and has continually expressed its desire to establish 
        peaceful relations with all other Arab states;
Whereas although the United States has provided Iraq with almost $50,000,000,000 
        in security and economic assistance to date, none of which has been 
        repaid, the Government of Iraq refuses to recognize the existence of 
        Israel, the most reliable ally of the United States in the Middle East 
        region;
Whereas Israel has emerged as a worldwide leader and expert in the agricultural, 
        medical, and technological fields, and has the ability to forge a unique 
        partnership with Iraq, which would greatly benefit from the skills and 
        knowledge of Israel's workforce;
Whereas a trade partnership between Israel and Iraq would encourage further 
        growth in Iraq as Iraq works to reconstruct its country;
Whereas Iraq's recognition of Israel could greatly encourage diplomatic 
        relations between the 2 countries;
Whereas Iraq's recognition of Israel would have a significantly positive impact 
        on promoting security, stability, and potentially a long-term peace in 
        the Middle East region; and
Whereas, as Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary, it is long overdue for Iraq 
        and all other countries having diplomatic relations with the United 
        States to recognize Israel's right to exist: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses deep concern that the Government of the 
        Republic of Iraq continues to refuse to recognize the existence 
        of the State of Israel and urges the Government of Iraq to 
        recognize the right of Israel to exist and to establish 
        diplomatic relations with Israel;
            (2) encourages the Government of Iraq to engage with 
        Israel, the United States, and all countries in the Middle East 
        region to weaken extremist groups and existing threats within 
        the region and to work to advance peace throughout the region;
            (3) calls on the Administration to use its influence to 
        persuade Iraq and other countries with which the United States 
        has diplomatic relations to recognize the right of Israel to 
        exist and to establish diplomatic relations with Israel; and
            (4) reaffirms its support for Israel and Israel's 
        unequivocal right to exist.
                                 <all>