[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 167 (Thursday, December 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
1765, a resolution supporting a negotiated solution to the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict and condemning unilateral declarations of a 
Palestinian state.
  As a co-chair of the Democratic Israel Working Group, I would like to 
thank my colleague, Chairman Howard Berman, for bringing this important 
resolution to the House floor.
  I have been to Israel and the West Bank on numerous occasions. I can 
personally vouch for the yearning of the people of Israel and the 
Palestinian territories to come to a peaceful settlement that will end 
decades of discord and violence.
  A negotiated two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians is 
the underpinning of the peace process. It is the official policy of the 
U.S. Government, the Israeli Government and of the Palestinian 
Authority.
  Only through direct negotiations can difficult compromises be reached 
on core issues like borders, water, refugees, the status of Jerusalem, 
and security.
  Unfortunately, Palestinian leaders are pursuing a coordinated 
strategy to bypass the negotiations process to seek recognition of a 
unilaterally declared Palestinian state by the United Nations and other 
international forums.
  Recently, the governments of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay 
unilaterally recognized the State of Palestine upon request from 
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
  Unilateral declarations of statehood will not eliminate the sources 
of the conflict. Rather, they undermine the peace process and endanger 
the safety and security of the Israeli and Palestinian people.
  This country and this Congress remain the largest grantor of 
assistance to help the Palestinian Authority build the political, 
economic and social infrastructure to support a future state. The 
unilateral statehood effort will undermine the ability of the United 
States to continue playing a constructive role.
  I call upon my colleagues to vote in support of the peace process, of 
a secure Israel and viable, democratic Palestinian state and in favor 
of this resolution.

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