[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

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                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 1765, a 
resolution supporting a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian 
conflict and condemning unilateral declarations of a Palestinian state. 
It is a one-sided resolution that advocates for an approach that would 
prevent the very two-state solution it advocates.
  H. Res. 1765 rightly expresses support for a negotiated solution to 
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a strong proponent of peace and 
reconciliation, I believe that true long-term stability and security 
for Israel depends upon peaceful coexistence with its Palestinian 
neighbors. Indeed, an imposed solution will not bring either side 
closer to the security, peace and coexistence that have been elusive 
for the last sixty-plus years.
  This resolution condemns the unilateral actions recently taken by the 
Palestinian Authority to seek recognition of a Palestinian state within 
1967 borders. Yet it mentions nothing of the continued settlement 
building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that led to the breakdown 
in negotiations. While I do not support the actions taken by the 
Palestinian Authority, their efforts are a direct result of failed 
negotiations and continued settlement building that threaten the two-
state solution.
  If we only hold one side accountable, good faith negotiations cannot 
proceed. A just solution to this conflict requires recognition that 
negotiations will not be successful as long as the United States allows 
settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to continue. We 
cannot claim to be acting in Israel's best interest while turning a 
blind eye to actions that actively undermine its security.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been to the region. I have spoken to Israelis and 
Palestinians. Most of them want peace and they have been waiting too 
long for it. The political process and realities on the ground do not 
create conditions that are conducive to making peace a reality.
  True support of a just, negotiated solution requires us to hold both 
sides accountable. This resolution fails to do that. I urge my 
colleagues to oppose this resolution.

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