[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2192]
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. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor and strong supporter 
of H. Res. 1765 because this resolution affirms the imperative for a 
negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian 
efforts to pursue declarations or recognitions of statehood outside of 
the peace process are unacceptable. This threatens compromise and a 
peaceful solution.
  I thank Chairman Berman for offering this important resolution and my 
colleagues in the House for calling on Palestinian leaders to cease all 
efforts at circumventing the negotiation process. Only through this 
direct Israel-Palestinian dialogue can we move forward to compromise 
and lasting peace. Unilateral declarations do not support this process, 
but rather threaten peace and deepen conflicts.
  It is time to focus on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Any 
attempts to bypass negotiations threaten the security and survival of 
the State of Israel, and the creation of a viable and democratic 
Palestinian state.
  I firmly believe that a lasting compromise can be reached through 
direct negotiations and compromise. That is the way forward for 
Israelis, Palestinians, and the United States. Secretary of State 
Clinton had it right when she noted that ``it is only a negotiated 
agreement between the parties that will be sustainable.''
  That is why I strongly oppose any Palestinian efforts to unilaterally 
declare statehood and abandon efforts for a negotiated two-state 
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, I am pleased that 
there is bipartisan agreement that the House of Representatives must do 
everything in our power to reaffirm the need for a peace process and to 
move these talks forward toward a lasting solution.

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