110 HRES 1249 IH: Urging the Government of the Republic of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-06-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1249 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

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.