[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H4625-H4632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1730
REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
CONFLICT
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 268) reaffirming the United States
commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 268
Whereas the policy of the United States since 2002 has been
to support a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict;
Whereas a true and lasting peace between Israel and the
Palestinians can only be achieved through direct negotiations
between the parties and acceptance of each other's right to
exist;
Whereas Palestine Liberation Organization Chair Yassir
Arafat pledged in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin on September 9, 1993, that ``all outstanding issues
relating to permanent status will be resolved through
negotiations'' a pledge that served as a critical basis for
the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed 4 days
later;
Whereas the unity agreement signed by Fatah and Hamas on
May 4, 2011, was reached without Hamas being required to
renounce violence, accept Israel's right to exist, and accept
prior agreements made by the Palestinians (the ``Quartet
conditions'');
Whereas Hamas, an organization responsible for the death of
more than 500 innocent civilians, including 24 United States
citizens, has been designated by the United States Government
as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a specially
designated terrorist organization;
Whereas Hamas kidnapped and has held Israeli sergeant Gilad
Shalit in captivity in violation of international norms since
June 25, 2006;
Whereas Hamas continues to forcefully reject the
possibility of peace with Israel;
Whereas Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
accepted a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and has consistently advocated for immediate direct
negotiations with the Palestinians, who, in turn, have
prevented negotiations by insisting on unprecedented pre-
conditions;
Whereas, on April 22, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton stated, ``We will not deal with nor in any way
fund a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless and
until Hamas has renounced violence, recognized Israel and
agreed to follow the previous obligations of the Palestinian
Authority'';
Whereas United States Ambassador to the United Nations,
Susan Rice, stated on February 18, 2011, that it was
``unwise'' for the United Nations to attempt to resolve key
issues between the Israelis and Palestinians;
Whereas Palestinian leaders are pursuing a coordinated
strategy to seek recognition of a Palestinian state within
the United Nations and directly from foreign governments;
Whereas, on December 15, 2010, the House adopted House
Resolution 1765, which reaffirmed that the House of
Representatives supports 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 and opposes any attempt to establish
or seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an
agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians;
Whereas current United States law precludes assistance to a
Palestinian Authority which shares power with Hamas unless
that Authority publicly accepts Israel's right to exist and
adheres to all prior agreements and understandings with the
United States and Israel;
Whereas the United States annually provides more than $550
million annually and has provided more than $3.5 billion
cumulatively in direct bilateral assistance to the
Palestinians, who are among the world's largest recipients of
foreign aid per capita;
Whereas United States aid to the Palestinians is predicated
on a good faith commitment from the Palestinians to the peace
process including direct negotiations with Israel;
Whereas Palestinian abandonment of the Quartet conditions
and inclusion of Hamas in a government would jeopardize the
positive steps the Palestinian Authority has taken in
building institutions and improving security in the West Bank
in recent years; and
Whereas efforts to form a unity government without
accepting the Quartet conditions, to bypass negotiations and
unilaterally declare a Palestinian state, or to appeal to the
United Nations or other international forums, or directly to
foreign governments for recognition of a Palestinian state,
violate the underlying principles of the Oslo Accords, the
Road Map, and other relevant Middle East peace process
agreements, all of which require resolution of the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict through direct negotiations only: 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) states its firm belief that any Palestinian unity
government must publicly and formally forswear terrorism,
accept Israel's right to exist, and reaffirm previous
agreements made with Israel;
(3) reiterates 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;
[[Page H4626]]
(4) urges Palestinian leaders to--
(A) ensure that any Palestinian government will seek peace
with Israel;
(B) cease all efforts at circumventing the negotiation
process, including through a unilateral declaration of
statehood or by seeking recognition of a Palestinian state
from other nations or the United Nations;
(C) resume direct negotiations with Israel immediately and
without preconditions; and
(D) take appropriate measures to counter incitement to
violence and fulfill all prior Palestinian commitments,
including dismantling the terrorist infrastructure embodied
in Hamas;
(5) supports the Administration's opposition to a
unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and its use of
the veto at the United Nations Security Council on February
18, 2011, the most recent example of a longstanding United
States policy of vetoing unbalanced United Nations Security
Council resolutions regarding Israel and the Israeli-
Palestinian peace process;
(6) calls upon the Administration to announce that it will
veto any resolution on Palestinian statehood that comes
before the United Nations Security Council which is not a
result of agreements reached between Israel and the
Palestinians;
(7) calls upon the Administration to lead a diplomatic
effort 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;
(8) affirms that Palestinian efforts to circumvent direct
negotiations and pursue recognition of statehood prior to
agreement with Israel will harm United States-Palestinian
relations and will have serious implications for the United
States assistance programs for the Palestinians and the
Palestinians Authority;
(9) supports the position taken by Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton on April 22, 2009, that the United
States ``will not deal with or in any way fund a Palestinian
government that includes Hamas unless and until Hamas has
renounced violence, recognized Israel and agreed to follow
the previous obligations of the Palestinian Authority.'';
(10) urges the administration to consider suspending
assistance to the Palestinian Authority pending a review of
the unity agreement; and
(11) reaffirms the United States statutory requirement
precluding assistance to a Palestinian Authority that
includes Hamas unless that Authority and all its ministers
publicly accept Israel's right to exist and all prior
agreements and understandings with the United States and
Israel.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). Pursuant to the
rule, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman
from California (Mr. Berman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
General Leave
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 268.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 268,
sponsored by Majority Leader Cantor and Minority Whip Hoyer, and would
like to thank them for their leadership in bringing this important
resolution to the floor today.
We face a perilous juncture in the history of the Middle East. Our
adversaries are far from dormant, and are focused on an international
effort to isolate and demonize Israel. That is why it is all the more
important for the United States to stand by our democratic ally at this
critical time. So let's get the facts straight, Madam Speaker.
As even Secretary Clinton noted, this Israeli Government has made
unprecedented concessions in pursuit of peace. Israel has always been
willing and able to make the tough sacrifices. Israel has proven its
commitment to peace. Unfortunately, Israel does not have a partner for
peace and security as the Palestinian leadership continues to never
miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Abu Mazen can utter all the right words to the Obama administration
and the Europeans, who appear gullible enough to believe him; but the
problem is, whenever the Palestinian leadership, past and present, has
actually been asked to sign a peace agreement with Israel, it has
always refused. Abu Mazen also continues to refuse to recognize Israel
as a Jewish state, yet demands that Israel recognize a Palestinian
state; and the media he controls through the Palestinian Authority
publishes a nonstop barrage of anti-Semitic propaganda.
The Palestinian Authority has rejected every offer of peace from
Israel. The PA has refused to negotiate directly with Israel. The PA
has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. It
has failed to crack down on violent extremism and anti-Israel
incitement. Indeed, it has even tolerated and encouraged such behavior.
It has also supported boycotts of Israeli goods, and the Palestinian
Authority Prime Minister, whom some consider to be a moderate, even
participated in a mass burning of such goods.
Instead of negotiating directly with Israel, the Palestinian
Authority is pursuing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state,
from various foreign governments, with an eye to recognition of such a
state by the U.N. this fall. Palestinian leaders also keep threatening
violence to extract concessions.
Abu Mazen has not only failed to recognize Israel's right to exist as
a Jewish state, but recently signed a coalition agreement with Hamas,
which is committed to Israel's destruction.
To demonstrate that they are true partners for peace, what
Palestinian leaders must do is simple, Madam Speaker--the opposite of
what they have been doing: sit down and negotiate directly with Israel,
without preconditions; encourage Palestinians to accept Israel instead
of tolerating and encouraging violent extremism and anti-Israel
incitement; and recognize Israel's right to exist as a democratic
Jewish state.
We must no longer demand that Israel take actions or make additional
unilateral concessions that would compromise our democratic ally's
safety and security.
Recent calls for Israel to return to the 1967 borders are
unacceptable and dangerous. Continuing to provide assistance to the
Palestinians--assistance amounting to $2.5 billion in the last 5 years
alone--is certainly not the answer. Congress must not agree to the
administration's 2012 budget request, which would provide yet another
$400 million bailout to the West Bank and Gaza, including another $200
million directly to the PA.
There are also many other steps that Congress and the administration
can and must take to support our ally Israel and to encourage the
advancement of peace and security in the region:
The U.S. could show its support for the Jewish state's sovereignty
and right to exist by moving our Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel's eternal
and undivided capital. We should demand that the United Nations stop
its relentless activities to demonize Israel and the Jewish people, and
put our money where our mouth is.
The most recent example of this bias is a cartoon posted by Richard
Falk, which was apparently taken down just minutes ago. The U.N. Human
Rights Council has appointed Mr. Falk as an ``expert'' to investigate
and condemn Israel. I'm sure that the viewers could see or they could
pull it up on the Internet what this cartoon depicts. It depicts
Americans and Jews as bloodthirsty dogs.
This is not the first time that Mr. Falk has spread such venom. He
has compared Israel's treatment of the Palestinians to the Holocaust,
and has questioned the veracity of the 9/11 attacks, but he continues
to work for the U.N. Human Rights Council, with over 20 percent of his
expenses and staff support paid for by U.S. taxpayers.
Has the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights ever condemned Falk
and demanded that he resign his U.N. post? Never. To the contrary, her
office has published an attack by Falk on his critics. I understand
that he says now that his account was hacked into and that he has taken
that drawing down, but I say enough is enough.
The administration should withdraw from the biased Human Rights
Council, and Congress should withhold funding from the council and
other U.N. bodies that do not advance our national security interests
and condition U.S. contributions on real reforms. What a concept.
Finally, Madam Speaker, instead of dealing directly with the Muslim
[[Page H4627]]
Brotherhood, which seeks Israel's destruction and condemned the killing
of bin Laden, the U.S. should deny all legitimacy to that group no
matter what fake name or label it now uses as it tries to camouflage
itself into a legitimate political party in Egypt.
I am glad that this body is doing the right thing today, Madam
Speaker. We have much more to do to defend our national security
interests and our indispensable ally, Israel.
I thank the gentleman from Virginia, our distinguished majority
leader, for authoring this important resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 268, the Cantor-Hoyer
resolution, and I yield myself 4 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I believe negotiations are the only path to a two-
state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For this reason,
the United States Congress has every reason to be concerned about
efforts by the Palestinian Authority leadership to attain recognition
of statehood while bypassing the accepted negotiation process. These
efforts run counter to the Palestinians' own internationally witnessed
commitments at the 1991 Madrid Conference and under the 1993 Oslo
agreement and the 2003 Roadmap.
That is but one reason I am deeply disappointed by the Palestinian
leadership's recent push to seek recognition of an independent state at
the United Nations. Indeed, even some Palestinian officials have
acknowledged that such U.N. recognition of statehood gives the
Palestinians nothing but an empty symbolic victory.
One thing is clear: There will be no recognition of Palestinian
statehood by the Security Council, where I feel confident that the
United States would use its veto, just as it has in the past, to
prevent the passage of an unbalanced, anti-Israel resolution.
And what exactly would the U.N. General Assembly recognition of a
Palestinian state do for the Palestinians? Absolutely nothing. It would
not solve the Palestinians' need for recognized borders nor would it
solve sensitive issues like the status of Jerusalem, water rights, or
Palestinian refugees.
{time} 1740
It would not enhance their prospect for successful negotiations. In
fact, it would be seen by Israel and many others as an act of bad
faith, creating yet another obstacle to successful talks.
As President Obama said in May, ``For the Palestinians, efforts to
delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate
Israel at the United Nations in September won't create an independent
state.'' A glance at recent history shows that he's right. In 1988,
Yasser Arafat declared a state and garnered recognition from more than
100 nations. Now, 23 years later, there is still no Palestinian state.
The Palestinian people don't want a bunch of declarations of statehood;
they want a state--and they should have one through the only means
possible for attaining one, negotiations with Israel.
I believe that Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Prime
Minister Fayyad are committed to a peaceful resolution of their
conflict with Israel. So I hope they will return to the negotiating
table and abandon their flawed U.N. strategy.
The Congress has been very generous in its support of the Palestinian
Authority's worthy efforts to build institutions and the economy in the
West Bank. In fact, I believe we are the most generous nation in the
world in that regard. So I think our Palestinian friends should
understand that if they persist in pursuing a unilateralist path,
inevitably, and however regrettably, there will be consequences for
U.S.-Palestinian relationships.
Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this
important pro-negotiations, pro-peace resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 1 minute to
our esteemed majority leader and coauthor of this resolution, the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).
Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentlelady, the chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, and I thank the leadership of the gentleman from
California as well in support of this resolution.
Madam Speaker, we call today on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority
to renounce the path they have set in planning to announce statehood in
the upcoming United Nations session. By threatening to sidestep the
principles of the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority is beginning
to dismantle the framework of future peace process agreements.
We have seen the death and destruction that Hamas perpetrated against
both Israeli civilians and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,
yet Hamas refuses to accept responsibility for its actions or rein in
terrorists called to strike at the heart of the Israeli people.
Today, we ask and call upon the Palestinian Authority to return to
the negotiating table and join the Israelis in direct discussions to
end this conflict. Furthermore, we call on the leadership of the
Palestinian Authority to renounce the violence Hamas condones and
teaches to its followers.
This resolution, Madam Speaker, directs the Palestinian Authority to
be responsible actors on the world stage and to return to negotiations.
For far too long, the Palestinian Authority has not acted on behalf of
its people. Corruption has caused many to discredit its legitimacy. The
people of the region deserve an honest broker that accepts and respects
the state of Israel.
Israel has stood by America in its fights against extremist ideology.
Madam Speaker, we stand by Israel as our most valued ally in a region
in need of more who respect freedom of speech and the free assembly of
people, a region that, frankly, must follow the example set by Israel
in its work in promotion of human progress.
It is time for the Palestinian Authority to accept a peaceful
solution to this conflict and teach their children that violence is
never the answer to their problems. The Palestinian Authority must
understand that peace is only achievable when they are willing to
recognize the legitimacy of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. And they
must understand that the solution to this conflict will only come
through direct negotiations with the Israelis, and not by circumventing
the peace process through international parliamentary gimmickry.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. I thank Mr. Berman for yielding. I thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen
for bringing this resolution to the floor. And I am pleased to join my
colleague and friend, Mr. Cantor, in strong support of this resolution.
I believe there is only one lasting solution to the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict, a future of two states for two peoples living in
security and peace with one another. Such a solution is in the best
interests of regional peace and in the best interests of both parties.
That is why I strongly believe that ensuring the long-term viability of
the Jewish democratic State of Israel also requires supporting a
homeland for the Palestinian people.
History teaches us that in conflicts such as this, one peace must be
negotiated. It cannot and will not be imposed from outside or else it
will rest on an unstable and temporary foundation. That is why I
strongly oppose Palestinian efforts to impose a solution to the
conflict at the United Nations, as well as Palestinian efforts to
unilaterally declare statehood. I am concerned that a unilateral
declaration will only encourage both sides to dig in and put a lasting
negotiated peace further at risk.
As President Obama said, and as Mr. Berman has quoted--and I want to
quote a little more of the President's remarks, but I will repeat some
of what Mr. Berman said because I think it is relevant--I quote the
President of the United States: ``For the Palestinians, efforts to
delegitimize Israel will end
[[Page H4628]]
in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in
September won't create an independent state. Palestinian leaders will
not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror
and rejection. And Palestinians will never realize their independence
by denying the right of Israel to exist.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
Mr. HOYER. I believe the President is absolutely correct. By passing
this resolution, the House will make it clear that it agrees that a
real peace can only come through negotiations between the two sides.
That peace will only last if both sides buy into it. We all know that
those negotiations have been and are now relatively nonexistent, and
they will be difficult even having been entered into. They will be
painful. They will require courage and sacrifice on both sides. But the
hard way is also the right way. And if there is to be any hope of
peace, as surely all of us pray there is, both sides must return to the
table without preconditions.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. And I will continue
to urge America's allies to stand against quick, unilateral, and
ultimately unstable solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
I thank the gentleman and the chair for bringing this resolution to
the floor.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am so honored to yield 2\1/2\
minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who is also the
chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and South
Asia.
Mr. CHABOT. I thank the distinguished chair for yielding. Israel has
no greater friend than Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida.
Despite some progress that has been made toward ensuring Israel's
continued security, critical challenges still exist. Rejectionist
elements within the Palestinian leadership still refuse to sit and
negotiate in good faith even as Israel repeatedly expresses its
commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state. These elements
spurn Israeli overtures and seek to establish a Palestinian state
unilaterally through a vote of the U.N. General Assembly.
Although short-term security may be achievable unilaterally, peace is
not. Palestinian rejectionism, whether by Hamas or Fatah, must be
abandoned. U.S. taxpayer money should, under no circumstances, go to
the Palestinian government, whose members do not all abide by the Three
Quartet principles: recognizing the state of Israel's right to exist;
renouncing terrorism; and abiding by previous agreements.
{time} 1750
And just as the U.S. should not support a Palestinian government
whose very composition is anathema to peace, so, too, should it not
support an institution that offers an easy alternative to genuine peace
through negotiations. That is why I recently introduced a resolution
calling on the administration to cut all funding to the U.N. General
Assembly should it vote to recognize a Palestinian state in direct
defiance of the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. Charter. True
Israeli-Palestinian peace will only be made between two peoples,
Israelis and Palestinians, and not the 191 other members of the General
Assembly.
Israel, like the United States, welcomes those who would make peace
even as it fights those who would make war. Time and again, Israel has
demonstrated its commitment to a Palestinian state living as its
neighbor in peace and security, but there are no shortcuts on the path
to this outcome, and there is no getting around the hard concessions
that will have to be made. The U.S. must now stand with Israel and
against those who would obstruct rather than advance the cause of
peace.
I urge the adoption of this resolution.
Mr. BERMAN. I am very pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which reaffirms
support for a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict reached
through negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and our
opposition to any unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, or
recognition of such a declaration by the United Nations.
How can a dispute between two peoples ever be resolved by the
unilateral decision of one? The path to peace has been clear for many
years, and provided for by Security Council resolutions and by the 1993
Oslo Accords signed by the Israelis and the Palestinians. All these
agreements provide for settlement negotiated between the parties, a
settlement that will result in two states, a Jewish state of Israel and
a state of Palestine.
Unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state is a way of avoiding
negotiations on the tough issues: final borders, secure borders,
Jerusalem, and the status of the Palestinian refugees of 1948 and their
descendants. It is an attempt by the Palestinians to de-legitimize
Israel, to impose indefensible borders unilaterally, and to get their
state while retaining the ability to keep fighting Israel and to use
the refugees' alleged ``right of return'' to undermine the survival of
Israel as Jewish state.
The Palestinian Authority should instead explain to its people that a
Palestinian state can be achieved only by conceding the right of a
Jewish state to live in peace and security next door. And, for that to
happen, there must be a negotiated agreement recognizing two states for
two peoples. Evading a negotiated agreement is a formula for future
war.
I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is also the chairman of
the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human
Rights.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my good friend for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 268, and
deeply appreciate Majority Leader Cantor; Steny Hoyer; obviously the
chairwoman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; and Mr. Berman, the ranking member,
for authoring this resolution reaffirming the U.S. commitment to a
negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through
direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
H. Res. 268 speaks in very clear, unambiguous language about what
this means: It means settlement through direct Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations rather than through a highly misguided, counterproductive,
unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood, or by Palestinians
seeking recognition from other states or through the United Nations,
sadly, the latter, a haven of anti-Israel and even sometimes anti-
Semitic activity.
Direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have been a keystone of U.S.
and Israeli policy toward the region for decades, and even PLO Chair
Yasser Arafat pledged to accept this way back in 1993. Unfortunately,
Hamas in its 2011 unity agreement with Fatah did not accept this
commitment, nor did it renounce violence.
Madam Speaker, H. Res. 268 also outlines what a negotiated settlement
should entail: negotiations in which each accepts the other's right to
exist, and which are aimed at a two-state solution. Again, these have
been key points of U.S. and Israeli policy, but Hamas, a State
Department foreign terrorist organization, has rejected them.
The fact is, Madam Speaker, that U.S. law precludes foreign
assistance to a P.A. which shares power with Hamas unless the P.A.
publicly accepts Israel's right to exist and adheres to all prior
agreements between Israel and the PLO. The U.S. Government has been
extremely generous to the P.A., providing over $550 million annually.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. So the resolution wisely reaffirms this law
and urges the administration to consider suspending assistance to the
P.A. pending a review of the unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas.
It is our policy, and it is Israel's policy, Madam Speaker, to
promote a realistic, sustainable peace process, one that entails
negotiations between the two parties to the conflict, represented by
groups that seek a two-state solution, and renounces violence. Hamas
has shown none of that.
[[Page H4629]]
Mr. BERMAN. I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlelady
from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.
Res. 268.
This important resolution reaffirms our Nation's unwavering
commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israel-Palestinian
conflict, which can only be achieved through direct Israeli-Palestinian
peace talks.
Since 1948, when the United States became the first country to
recognize the Jewish State of Israel, we have always stood by her side
as a strong ally and friend. This resolution is no exception. As each
day brings a new set of complex changes to the Middle East, it is more
vital than ever that we protect and strengthen that friendship. From
insisting that Hamas reject terrorism and accept Israel's right to
exist, to supporting the Obama administration's opposition to the
unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, H. Res. 268 reaffirms
the sense of the Congress and the Obama administration that we must
continue to stand strong with our democratic ally against hostile
enemies and attempts at de-legitimization.
In doing so, we continue to demonstrate our stalwart support that we
have provided as a country for more than six decades.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, it is indeed an honor to yield 1
minute to the gentleman from Florida, my colleague, Colonel West, an
American hero.
Mr. WEST. I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I stand today in support of House Resolution 268,
which does reaffirm the strong support of this body politic to a
negotiated solution for Israel and Palestine.
The important thing that we have to see happen, though, is to urge
the Palestinian leaders to first and foremost ensure that any
Palestinian government will seek peace with Israel, as we sat here and
listened to Prime Minister Netanyahu say, ``There will not be peace
until we have a dedicated peace partner.''
The second thing, we must make sure that the leaders of the
Palestinian people cease all efforts at circumventing the negotiation
process, including through a unilateral declaration of statehood or by
seeking recognition of a Palestinian state from other nations or the
United Nations.
But third, and probably most important, that the Palestinian leaders
must take appropriate measures to counter the incitement to violence
and fulfill all prior Palestinian commitments, including dismantling
the terrorist infrastructure that is embodied with Hamas.
Israel is a bright and shining beacon which is in a sea of despots,
dictators, theocrats, and autocrats. The Palestinian leaders can choose
to be a part of this light.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a member
of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from Connecticut
(Mr. Murphy).
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. I thank the ranking member.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 268 that affirms the
United States' support for a negotiated solution to the Israel-
Palestinian conflict.
Setting preconditions on negotiations is just an excuse to maintain
the status quo. If President Abbas is serious about peace, then he
should focus all of his energies and all the energies of his people on
negotiations with Israel. An agreement won't be easy, but the outlines
of an agreement are well-known. All that is really necessary now is
leadership from both sides.
So this leadership sets firmly U.S. policy. We are a rock solid
friend of Israel, and anyone else who seeks peace with them. But this
also means that we stand against those who seek to circumvent the peace
process by running to the U.N. General Assembly for a declaration that
may score political points but is going to set back the peace process
for years.
Now more than ever, Madam Speaker, with turmoil on every border of
Israel, we need to stand with them as an ally. We want peace. Israel
wants peace. Peace can only happen with negotiations. All we are
missing is a true Palestinian partner.
{time} 1800
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I would like to yield 2 minutes to another Florida
colleague (Mrs. Adams), a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Mrs. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 268,
which would reaffirm America's commitment to a negotiated solution to
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states: a democratic
Jewish State of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state living in
peace and mutual recognition.
For six decades, throughout 12 American Presidents and 12 Israeli
Prime Ministers, Israel has stood as a beacon of democracy in an
unstable region and has remained a loyal and committed friend to the
United States. As Americans, we must continue to honor the promise of
democracy and liberty around the world--we owe no less than that to our
closest friend in the Middle East. This is why we'll continue to stand
with Israel, continue to honor our friendship, and to continue my
commitment to encouraging a negotiated peace that both the Israelis and
the Palestinians have agreed to--not one that is imposed upon them.
The United States should not and cannot dictate how peace can be
reached with the Palestinians, especially when they are willing to
allow Hamas, a terrorist organization, to participate in any of their
elections. This is why I strongly disagree with the President's
strategy to force Israel into a peace they have not negotiated.
Again, I want to rise in support of H. Res. 268. I believe that the
only peace will be a negotiated peace between Israel and the
Palestinians without any influence of terrorists.
Mr. BERMAN. I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend and
partner in so many of these efforts, the gentlelady from New York, the
ranking member of the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee of
Appropriations, Mrs. Lowey.
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
resolution, and I thank the ranking member for his leadership, and the
chair.
Last week I traveled to Israel, where I saw the determination,
ingenuity, and resourcefulness of that young nation. In a volatile
region, Israel is a strong democracy. Despite many setbacks, the
country still longs for peace. Yet unilateral actions by the
Palestinian Authority diminish prospects for negotiations and threaten
progress.
We must do everything within our power to stand by our ally Israel,
to persuade the Palestinians to abandon their efforts in the U.N.,
break with the terrorist group Hamas, and return to the negotiating
table with Israel without preconditions. This resolution is a strong
statement in support of peace. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to
the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
(Mr. GOSAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Resolution 268.
This resolution reaffirms congressional support for direct
negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an effort to
achieve peace in this over six-decade-long struggle.
While the Palestinian pursuit of a state is understandable, the
attempt to bypass the peace process by going first to the United
Nations is inappropriate. It is a disgrace and an offense to the U.N
Charter and all acceptable norms of international law to create or
recognize a state that itself will not first forsake terrorism,
violence, ethnic hatred, and genocide.
If a vote for Palestinian statehood comes to the U.N. Security
Council, the U.S. must veto and do so until a peace agreement is
achieved and maintained between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Now is not the time for either party to remove themselves from the
negotiating table. Peace will not be attained with only one side
seeking it. I urge my colleagues to reassert American commitment to
direct negotiations by supporting H. Res. 268.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, may I ask for the time remaining on each
side.
[[Page H4630]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 9 minutes
remaining, and the gentlelady from Florida has 3\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. BERMAN. I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Florida, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr.
Deutch.
Mr. DEUTCH. I thank the ranking member from California, and I thank
the chair of the committee.
Madam Speaker, I rise to support House Resolution 268, reaffirming
our Nation's unyielding support for our great ally Israel. Madam
Speaker, the lack of progress in the peace process thus far stems from
the Palestinians' refusal to negotiate despite historic Israeli
concessions. They could choose dialogue, they could choose peace--
instead they have chosen violence and hatred by partnering with Hamas.
Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with an organization that
refuses to accept the internationally recognized Quartet principles,
continues to murder innocent Israelis, and refuses to free Israeli
soldier Gilad Shalit.
This resolution comes to us as the PA pursues plans to avoid direct
negotiations altogether and unilaterally declare statehood at the
United Nations.
Madam Speaker, just weeks ago here in this Chamber, Israeli Prime
Minister Netanyahu reminded us what we clearly already know--that peace
cannot be imposed; peace must be negotiated. By passing this
resolution, Congress will uphold this principle, will reaffirm our
commitment to Israel's security, and will express our unyielding
support for the Israeli people in their quest for a true and lasting
peace. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the
distinguished member of our committee, the ranking member of the
Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel).
Mr. ENGEL. I rise in strong support of the resolution.
I come from the premise that if you want to work out a disagreement,
you sit face to face at the negotiating table and negotiate. That's
what happened in Ireland, and it should happen in the Middle East.
But the Palestinians are playing their cute little games. They want
to establish a lot of preconditions, they want to make excuses not to
sit and talk with Israel, and they think they can impose this at the
U.N. and impose statehood without face-to-face negotiations.
So I say ``no'' to excuses, ``no'' to 1967 lines, ``no'' to all kinds
of preconditions before Palestinians will even sit down and talk.
The only way, if the Palestinians are truly wanting peace, they have
a willing partner in Israel. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, There is
no Palestinian state not because we don't support one; it's because the
Palestinians won't recognize the Jewish State.
So I believe in two states side by side: a Jewish State of Israel and
an Arab-Palestinian state. And, again, that can only happen with face-
to-face negotiations. No preconditions. Let the parties sit down and
talk.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to
the gentleman from Texas, a former member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, Mr. Green.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I thank my colleague, the ranking member on
the Foreign Affairs Committee, for allowing me to speak.
I rise in strong support of H. Res. 268, a resolution reaffirming our
Nation's commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict.
As cochair of the Democratic Israel Working Group, I would like to
thank my colleagues, both Republican Leader Eric Cantor and our
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, for bringing this important bipartisan
resolution to the floor.
I have been to Israel and the West Bank on numerous occasions. I can
personally vouch for the desire 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 settlement between the Israelis and
Palestinians is the keystone of the peace process. It is the official
policy of the U.S. government, the Israeli government, and, until
recently, 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. Attempts to bypass direct negotiations and seek
recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state by the U.N.
General Assembly will not help the Palestinian people. Instead, such a
declaration will undermine the peace process and endanger the security
and well-being of the very people it claims to support.
{time} 1810
A unilaterally declared Palestinian state will lead to a greater
height in tensions, turn the region into a powder keg, and invite
terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah to take advantage. I urge
my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to a member of the
committee, the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, the gentleman
from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan).
Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 268 and call
upon my colleagues to strongly support this resolution.
It reaffirms the long-held U.S. commitment to Israel and the
negotiated settlement by and between the Israelis and Palestinians. The
future of Israel is inextricably linked to that of its neighbors in the
Middle East and North Africa. With gas prices rising, conflicts in that
region have a direct impact on Americans here at home.
I have long supported a two-state solution to the conflict, with
Israel as the recognized home of the Jewish people and a strong
Palestinian state to promote the well-being of the Palestinians as
well.
The U.S. and our allies must support this process. We must allow the
two parties to come together and negotiate a settlement. This is the
best avenue to achieve a lasting peace. I want to say that I strongly
oppose Palestinian attempts for unilateral recognition through the U.N.
that would delegitimize this peace process.
A fellow Missourian, Harry Truman, recognized Israel within minutes
of its declaration of independence. We must continue this kind of
support for Israel and for our allies striving for peace together. I
urge support of this resolution and look forward to working with my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this issue in the months
ahead.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN. I thank my very good friend from California for yielding
me the time.
Madam Speaker, the Middle East peace process is at risk of collapse,
and I believe that only American leadership can save it. Both sides can
and should do more to restart negotiations.
House Resolution 268, despite the fact that it has virtually
unanimous support from this body and includes a laudable reaffirmation
of the United States' commitment to a negotiated solution to the
conflict, in fact falls short of the kind of leadership that I believe
is needed. This resolution chastises the Palestinians for seeking to
bridge the divide in their own community and for pursuing recognition
of their state at the United Nations.
On the first point, I think we should give the Palestinian Authority,
which has done an impressive job of developing institutions and its
economy in the West Bank, some credit. They have tried to provide the
leadership to pursue the goals that we have encouraged them to do; and
they have, I think, done so in terms of developing democratic
institutions in a way that we should be proud of because we had a role
in that, a major role.
There is no indication they have any inclination to allow Hamas to
jeopardize those gains that have been achieved in the West Bank. And
thus far the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah has yet
to yield any progress on a unity government. In fact, at this point it
is unclear that it really will. So in many ways, the purpose for
bringing forth this resolution is moot.
[[Page H4631]]
Should Hamas be invited to join a Palestinian unity government
without accepting the conditions of The Quartet, the European Union,
the United Nations, United States, Russia, those are the
internationally designated bodies that have come forward with an
agreement we have agreed to, if they invite Hamas to join a coalition
government without accepting the conditions that we insist upon, it
will have very serious implications for our relationship. And that
should be the reason why we should cut off financial aid.
In 2006, Palestinian elections, which in fact were advanced by the
Bush administration, are what brought Hamas into power. In reaction,
the United States, as well as The International Quartet, suspended
assistance to the Palestinian Authority. And the Obama administration
is continuing that policy. There is no aid going to Gaza.
We need to recognize that Palestinian unity is crucial to a long-term
peace. Gaza's separation from the West Bank, though, has made it
impossible to advance meaningful negotiations with Israel.
Madam Speaker, there is insufficient time to lay out the other
argument.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 15
seconds.
Mr. MORAN. Madam Speaker, there is insufficient time to lay out the
other side to what has been presented. I don't particularly have strong
disagreement with many of the points that have been made, but I do
think there is another perspective to this. It ought to be advanced in
this body.
I thank my good friend for yielding me the time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is recognized for 45 seconds.
Mr. BERMAN. There are two important issues raised by this one
resolution. One seems a little more distant than it did at the time it
was introduced, and that was the possibility of a unity government that
included an organization that is on our terrorist list, that subscribes
to violence, to the elimination of the State of Israel, and refuses to
recognize past agreements in a unity government. Hopefully, that
agreement, the chances of it are diminishing.
The second point is a strategy which violates the Palestinians' own
commitments that they made in Madrid, that they made part of the
roadmap, that were made in the context of the Oslo agreements that they
will negotiate directly with the Israelis to resolve this conflict. I
think it is all appropriate to point out that should they pursue that
course, the assistance that we have very generously given them, that
they have put to good use, might well be terminated.
I urge an ``aye'' vote on this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), who is also the chairman of
the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia in our Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I thank my chairman for yielding.
Israel's right to exist, Madam Speaker, should be guaranteed. And
Israel has tried to work out over the years a peace agreement with the
Palestinians so that there could be a two-state solution. In fact,
twice, once during the term of Prime Minister Barak and again during
the term of Prime Minister Olmert, Israel offered the Palestinians a
very generous and fair final settlement. Both times those offers were
flatly rejected and met with violence.
And what have the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinians done
recently? They went and signed an agreement with Hamas. Hamas is a
terrorist organization that has been lobbing bombs and missiles into
Israel, trying to destroy the Israeli state. They are committed to the
destruction of Israel. And the Palestinians have signed an agreement on
May 4 of this year to work with them.
Israel went that extra step when they allowed Gaza to be turned open.
And what happened right after that took place? Hamas came in there and
took over and started attacking Israel day after day. Innocent women
and children were running constantly from bombs being dropped on them
because Gaza had been set in a position where they could open up to
Hamas.
And so you have got a constant demand by the terrorists--Hamas,
Hezbollah and others--to destroy the State of Israel. And Israel has
been a great ally of the United States since its inception in 1948.
{time} 1820
We need to send a very strong signal--I think we are doing it right
now today--a very strong signal that this country, this Congress, and
the Senate supports the State of Israel and does not want the
Palestinians to go to the United Nations and try to have a unilateral
settlement made by that body. This is something that has to be worked
out at the conference table between Israel and the Palestinians and not
at the United Nations.
So I would just like to conclude by saying that Israel is our best
friend and ally in the Middle East. They are a stable element in the
Middle East. We need to support them and make absolutely sure that
Hamas, Hezbollah, and the other terrorist organizations do not have
their way and destroy the State of Israel.
We are committed to that, this Congress is committed to that, and
this whole debate has shown very clearly that almost unanimously the
people of the United States stand with Israel.
Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 268,
reaffirming the United States' commitment to a negotiated settlement of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations.
We all know that the only way to achieve a true and lasting peace
between Israel and the Palestinians is through direct negotiations
between the parties. But the Palestinians have been refusing to
negotiate with Israel for over a year, using excuse after excuse to
stay away from the bargaining table. The Israelis, meanwhile, have
accepted the principle of a two-state solution and have pushed for
immediate, direct negotiations with the Palestinians.
If I were the Palestinian leadership, which claims simply to want an
independent state, I would be clamoring for immediate, direct
negotiations. Nothing could stop me from sitting down at the
negotiating table and finding a lasting settlement to these issues so
that my people could finally achieve statehood.
But while Israel waits for a partner at the bargaining table, the
Palestinians have turned away and instead asked that the United Nations
prematurely recognize a Palestinian state, though its borders have not
been determined, the status of Jerusalem has not been settled and the
Palestinians still insist on an unprecedented ``right of return'' for
refugees. Further, Israel still faces real threats to its security in
the form of terror attacks: between April and July of this year alone,
Israel was on the receiving end of hundreds of missiles fired from
Gaza. The Palestinians' end-run around the negotiations is just another
attempt by the Palestinians to gain the upper hand and embarrass Israel
rather than finding a peaceful solution to this tragic conflict.
Complicating matters further is the agreement signed between Fatah
and Hamas, a terrorist organization, to form a unity government within
the Palestinian Authority. Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with
terrorists, and no one should ask them to do so. And yet, PA president
Mahmoud Abbas decided to cast his lot not with the moderates but with
the extremists and terrorists who seek Israel's destruction, rather
than a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The United Nations and the world community must reject Hamas as a
legitimate representative of the Palestinians and must turn back any
Palestinian attempts to avoid the negotiating table. We must insist on
immediate, direct negotiations as the only path to peace. I therefore
urge strong support for this resolution.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I do not intend to oppose
this measure because I agree with its basic premise: that the United
States Congress strongly supports a negotiated two-state solution to
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opposes any action that will make
such an outcome harder to achieve.
However, I have serious reservations about several of the assertions
this resolution makes--as well as those it doesn't make--about recent
developments in, and U.S. policy toward, Israel and the Palestinian
territories. These concerns are more than abstract: at a time of
generational change in the Middle East, the positions that this
Congress takes on an issue of such vital importance will have lasting
implications for our nation's goals and interests in the region.
For two decades, irrespective of which party has controlled the White
House or Congress,
[[Page H4632]]
the central aim of U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
has been to encourage a negotiated resolution based on the principle of
a democratic, Jewish state of Israel living side by side in peace and
security with a viable, democratic Palestinian state. Republican and
Democratic presidents alike have affirmed that such an outcome will
only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two parties,
and have opposed any action by either side that undermines or
diminishes the prospects for a negotiated peace.
To be sure, the Palestinian leadership's intent to pursue diplomatic
recognition at the United Nations qualifies as such an action, and on
this point I agree with the sponsors of this resolution. I also share
their concerns about the prospect of a Palestinian unity government
that does not recognize Israel's right to exist or renounce violence
against innocent civilians. Either development would represent a major
setback for the peace process as we know it, and Congress is right to
warn Palestinian leaders about the consequences of their course of
action.
But as usual, the resolution before us today tells only half the
story. It says nothing about Israel's responsibility to act as a
serious negotiating partner and abide by its previous commitments under
the Road Map and other agreements. It says nothing about Israel's
refusal to halt settlement construction in order to allow direct
negotiations to resume--even when the Obama Administration offered a
lavish package of aid and assurances for Israel to do something that
was manifestly in its own interest to begin with. It condemns the
Palestinian president for his unilateral actions while failing to
comprehend that it has been Israel's intransigence that has led him to
view the United Nations as his only recourse. And as usual, the
resolution has been rushed to the floor without any serious debate or
any opportunity for input from the many members of this body who care
about this critical issue.
This resolution is also being considered at a pivotal moment in the
history of the peace process, as well as the history of the broader
Middle East. After years of false starts and broken promises, the
prospects for a negotiated peace appear as dim today as at any time in
recent memory, and may grow dimmer still as the political winds in the
Arab world shift in unpredictable ways. Now, perhaps more than ever
before, strong and decisive U.S. leadership is needed to persuade both
sides of the urgency of the moment and bring them back to the
negotiating table. It is only a matter of time before there is no table
left around which to negotiate.
Yet instead of urging the President to redouble his commitment to the
pursuit of peace, we are urging him to lead a diplomatic initiative to
oppose Palestinian recognition. Instead of encouraging him to bring the
full weight of American ideas, influence, and resources to bear on this
critical issue, we are asking him to suspend U.S. assistance to the
Palestinian Authority--the very assistance that has been so essential
to laying the foundations for a future Palestinian state. Instead of
congratulating him for his efforts to revive the stalled negotiations
by outlining his ideas for the boundaries of a future Palestinian
state, too many of my colleagues seem more interested in manufacturing
a controversy for political gain. Unfortunately, the current Israeli
prime minister seems all too willing to play along, despite the fact
that the two previous U.S. presidents--not to mention at least two
former Israeli prime ministers--have advocated positions nearly
identical to that outlined by President Obama.
So while I will cast my vote in favor of H. Res. 28, I am reminded of
the story of Nero playing the fiddle as Rome burns. The Middle East is
transforming before our eyes, and the window of opportunity for the
United States to achieve a just and lasting resolution to this age-old
conflict may be closing rapidly. We should seize this moment of
opportunity and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace before it is
too late.
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution.
While I certainly share the hope for peace in the Middle East and a
solution to the ongoing conflict, I do not believe that peace will
result if we continue to do the same things while hoping for different
results. The U.S. has been involved in this process for decades,
spending billions of dollars we do not have, yet we never seem to get
much closer to a solution. I believe the best solution is to embrace
non-interventionism, which allows those most directly involved to solve
their own problems.
This resolution not only further entangles the U.S. in the Israeli/
Palestinian dispute, but it sets out the kind of outcome the United
States would accept in advance. While I prefer our disengagement from
that conflict, I must wonder how the U.S. expects to be seen as an
``honest broker'' when it dictates the term of a solution in such a
transparently one-sided manner. In the resolution before us, all
demands are made of only one side in the conflict. Do supporters of
this resolution really believe the actors in the Middle East and the
rest of the world do not notice? We do no favors to the Israelis or to
the Palestinians when we involve ourselves in such a manner and block
any negotiations that may take place without U.S. participation. They
have the incentives to find a way to live in peace and we must allow
them to find that solution on their own. As always, congressional
attitudes toward the peace process in the Middle East reveal hubris and
self-importance. Only those who must live together in the Middle East
can craft a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 268.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________