[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 134 (Monday, September 12, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5483-S5484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to express my thoughts and 
my concerns about an issue of the utmost importance; that is, the 
Israel-Palestinian peace process.
  Tomorrow, September 13, 2011, the General Assembly of the United 
Nations will commence with its 66th session in New York. Every year, 
member nations come together to debate and discuss the important issues 
facing the world at the United Nations General Assembly. While there 
will be a variety of issues on the agenda this year, I am extremely 
concerned about one issue specifically.
  Over the last several months, Palestinian Authority President Abbas 
has repeatedly voiced his intention to formally request statehood 
recognition and full membership in the United Nations. In July, the 
Arab League endorsed this irresponsible ploy. Regrettably, President 
Abbas intends to make the formal request during this session of the 
United Nations General Assembly.
  I oppose the decision of the Palestinian Authority to seek a 
declaration of statehood by the United Nations. The unilateral action 
of the Palestinian Authority is intended to circumvent the peace 
process. It is not a good-faith effort to achieve peace in the Middle 
East but, to me, rather it is a political maneuver.
  The United Nations should not be interfering or intervening in this 
complex process and should refrain from passing unilateral declarations 
on issues that are part of ongoing direct negotiations by the parties. 
The decision about borders and statehood should be achieved through a 
final agreement, an agreement between the Government of Israel and the 
Palestinians.
  The United Nations should refrain from dictating and imposing a final 
decision on statehood for a territory of one of its own current member 
nations. To me, this will only make matters worse. It will make this 
situation worse because the consequences to the peace process are 
grave.
  The ability to move forward with an agreement is weakened and greatly 
diminished by these types of tactics. The best path to peace is through 
direct negotiations between the two parties, not through a manipulation 
at the United Nations. The United States continues to support a two-
state solution as a means to ending the conflict. It is based on the 
belief that it is the only way to achieve a true and lasting peace 
between these two parties.
  Instead of embarking on the time-consuming campaign to gain support 
in the United Nations General Assembly, the Palestinian leadership 
should be working directly with Israel on creating a real and 
sustainable peace agreement.
  The request for recognition by the United Nations is part of a 
terrible emerging trend from the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian 
Authority continues to engage in troubling behavior that is contrary to 
peace.
  On May 4, the Palestinian Authority reached an agreement with the 
terrorist group, Hamas, to create a unity government. It is outrageous 
that the Palestinian Authority would be willing to unite with a known 
terrorist group that is infamously recognized for its destructive acts 
of violence.
  Since 1997 Hamas has been designated by the U.S. Department of State 
as a foreign terrorist organization. Hamas

[[Page S5484]]

terrorists are responsible for the murders of American citizens. It is 
also important to note that the agreement between Hamas and the 
Palestine Authority does not require Hamas to recognize Israel's right 
to exist, to accept the previous Israel-Palestinian agreements, or to 
renounce terrorism.
  Hamas continues to be fundamentally opposed to a lasting peace 
between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It is apparent there is 
no path to a peaceful resolution when part of the Palestinian unity 
government is dedicated to the destruction of Israel.
  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made this point very clear when he 
addressed the joint session of Congress on May 24 of this year. He 
stated, ``Peace can only be negotiated with partners committed to 
peace.''
  Furthermore, it is completely unacceptable for U.S. assistance to go 
the Palestinian Authority when it includes Hamas. The Palestinian 
Authority received approximately $500 million in U.S. foreign 
assistance in fiscal year 2010. Hard-earned U.S. taxpayer funds must 
not be funneled into the pockets of terrorists.
  History shows this is not the first attempt by the Palestinians to 
use the United Nations to circumvent peace negotiations and declare 
statehood. The Palestinians sought to change their status at the United 
Nations through the World Health Organization. At that time, Secretary 
of State James Baker publicly warned that he would recommend that the 
United States stop funding any international organization that changed 
the Palestinian status as an observer organization.
  Americans are keenly aware that a significant portion of the United 
Nations' budget is paid by the United States. As the biggest financial 
contributor to the United Nations, the United States contributed almost 
$7.7 billion in fiscal year 2010 to the United Nations system. The 
United States should not be providing funding for an international 
institution that circumvents an established peace process and that 
threatens the security of our allies.
  The United States and Israel share a long and deep alliance. Israel 
is a friend and ally and a strategic partner to the United States. Both 
Israel and the United States understand the values of life, liberty, 
opportunity, security, and freedom.
  Throughout Israel's history, the country has worked to build a 
democratic nation in the face of severe obstacles. Israel is a shining 
example of democracy in the Middle East. As Israel faces real danger 
from its neighbors, the people of Israel continue to show great 
strength and perseverance as they seek peace.
  On May 22, President Obama explained that no vote at the United 
Nations would create an independent Palestinian State. On May 25, the 
President expressed his concern about the efforts of the Palestinian 
Authority to seek statehood at the United Nations and referred to it as 
a ``mistake.''
  The Department of State continues to reiterate that Israel and the 
Palestinian Authority need to work out the differences between 
themselves in direct negotiations. The United States has been very 
clear that we will use veto power in the United Nations Security 
Council to block any attempt by the Palestinians for state recognition 
or United Nations membership.
  The Obama administration must use all of its resources to block 
similar actions in the General Assembly and other United Nations 
organizations. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton must 
press the Palestinian Authority to abandon its erroneous decision and 
return to the negotiating table with Israel.
  It is also imperative that other international leaders understand the 
implications of these efforts and join the United States in opposing 
them. Nations must stand together to decry the attempt to circumvent 
direct peace process negotiations.
  The Palestinian Authority must also understand that its actions will 
have serious implications to the U.S.-Palestinian relations and U.S. 
assistance. The recent actions of the Palestinian Authority indicate to 
this Senator that the United States has no choice but to suspend 
funding assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
  Today, I call on Congress to terminate funding assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority. I believe Congress must also evaluate and 
significantly cut funding to the United Nations if any change to the 
status of the Palestinian Authority is approved by the General 
Assembly.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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