[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ON PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD AND THE U.N. BID FOR RECOGNITION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, this week, the Palestinian Authority 
(P.A.) will seek recognition of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders at 
the United Nations (U.N.) The United States has reportedly given the 
P.A. private assurances over opposing future Israeli settlement 
building in the West Bank and has urged the P.A. to return to the 
negotiating table. Yet the threats by this Congress to cut off aid to 
the P.A. for making such a move fail to recognize that the efforts of 
the P.A. to seek recognition from the U.N. and from other states are 
born directly of the failure of the so-called ``peace process'' that 
has allowed settlement construction in the West Bank to continue and 
that threatens to destroy any hope of the very two-state solution we 
advocate for.
  In July, I opposed a one-sided resolution that condemned any attempt 
by the P.A. to seek recognition from the U.N., but made no mention of 
the continued settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem 
that led to the breakdown in negotiations between Israel and the 
Palestinians. By only holding one side accountable for such unilateral 
actions, we undermine the very negotiations we claim to support. A just 
solution and good faith negotiations will not succeed as long as the 
United States allows settlement building to continue. We cannot be an 
honest broker or claim to act in Israel's best interests while turning 
a blind eye to actions that undermine its security.
  True, long-term stability and security for Israel is dependent on 
peace with its Palestinian neighbors. I unequivocally support a 
negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But a just, 
negotiated solution can only be achieved when both sides are held 
accountable for actions that undermine the reality of a two-state 
solution on the ground.

                          ____________________