[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1765 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1765

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 15, 2010.
Whereas a true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be 
        achieved through direct negotiations between the parties;
Whereas Palestinian leaders have repeatedly threatened to declare unilaterally a 
        Palestinian state and to seek recognition of a Palestinian state by the 
        United Nations and other international forums;
Whereas Palestinian leaders are reportedly pursuing a coordinated strategy of 
        seeking recognition of a Palestinian state within the United Nations, in 
        other international forums, and from a number of foreign governments;
Whereas, on November 24, 2010, Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian 
        Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization, wrote to the 
        President of Brazil, requesting that the Government of Brazil recognize 
        a Palestinian state, with the hope that such an action would encourage 
        other countries likewise to recognize a Palestinian state;
Whereas, on December 1, 2010, in response to Abbas's letter, the Government of 
        Brazil unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state;
Whereas, on December 6, 2010, the Government of Argentina announced its decision 
        to recognize unilaterally a Palestinian state, and the Government of 
        Uruguay announced that it would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian 
        state in 2011;
Whereas, on March 11, 1999, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, 
        and on March 16, 1999, the House of Representatives adopted House 
        Concurrent Resolution 24, both of which resolved that ``any attempt to 
        establish Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating process will 
        invoke the strongest congressional opposition'';
Whereas, on October 20, 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stated, 
        ``There is no substitute for face-to-face discussion and, ultimately, 
        for an agreement that leads to a just and lasting peace.'';
Whereas, on November 5, 2010, United States Department of State Spokesman Mark 
        Toner, responding to a question about the Palestinians possibly taking 
        action to seek recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, 
        said, ``[T]he only way that we're going to get a comprehensive peace is 
        through direct negotiations, and anything that might affect those direct 
        negotiations we feel is not helpful and not constructive'';
Whereas, on November 10, 2010, Secretary Clinton stated, ``we have always said 
        and I continue to say that negotiations between the parties is the only 
        means by which all of the outstanding claims arising out of the conflict 
        can be resolved. . .There can be no progress until they actually come 
        together and explore where areas of agreement are and how to narrow 
        areas of disagreement. So we do not support unilateral steps by either 
        party that could prejudge the outcome of such negotiations.'';
Whereas, on December 7, 2010, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs 
        Philip J. Crowley stated, ``We don't think that we should be distracted 
        from the fact that the only way to resolve the core issues within the 
        process is through direct negotiations.'';
Whereas, on December 10, 2010, Secretary Clinton stated, ``it is only a 
        negotiated agreement between the parties that will be sustainable'';
Whereas the Government of Israel has made clear that it would reject a 
        Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence, has repeatedly 
        affirmed that the conflict should be resolved through direct 
        negotiations with the Palestinians, and has repeatedly called on the 
        Palestinian leadership to return to direct negotiations; and
Whereas efforts to bypass negotiations and to unilaterally declare a Palestinian 
        state, or to appeal to the United Nations or other international forums 
        or to foreign governments for recognition of a Palestinian state, would 
        violate the underlying principles of the Oslo Accords, the Road Map, and 
        other relevant Middle East peace process efforts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution to the 
        Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic, 
        Jewish state of Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian state, 
        living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition;
            (2) reaffirms its strong opposition to any attempt to establish or 
        seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement 
        negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians;
            (3) urges Palestinian leaders to--
                    (A) cease all efforts at circumventing the negotiation 
                process, including efforts to gain recognition of a Palestinian 
                state from other nations, within the United Nations, and in 
                other international forums prior to achievement of a final 
                agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, and calls upon 
                foreign governments not to extend such recognition; and
                    (B) resume direct negotiations with Israel immediately;
            (4) supports the Administration's opposition to a unilateral 
        declaration of a Palestinian state; and
            (5) calls upon the Administration to--
                    (A) lead a diplomatic effort to persuade other nations to 
                oppose a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and to 
                oppose recognition of a Palestinian state by other nations, 
                within the United Nations, and in other international forums 
                prior to achievement of a final agreement between Israel and the 
                Palestinians; and
                    (B) affirm that the United States would deny recognition to 
                any unilaterally declared Palestinian state and veto any 
                resolution by the United Nations Security Council to establish 
                or recognize a Palestinian state outside of an agreement 
                negotiated by the two parties.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.