[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5797-S5798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SUPPORTING ISRAEL

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Earlier this week, I met with leaders in the Ohio 
Jewish community about events that could happen as the United Nations 
General Assembly convenes in the Presiding Officer's city, New York. 
One of the leaders and a dear friend of mine and a dear friend of 
Israel's told me these are tough times for Israel, some of the toughest 
ever. She took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts, and said, ``Until 
your neighbors accept you, it will always be a tough time.''
  Israel is accustomed to living in a tough neighborhood, but in recent 
months that has grown tougher. Confrontation with Israel is a new 
centerpiece of Turkish foreign policy. Leaders in Egypt question 
Egypt's commitment to its peace treaty with Israel. Hezbollah has 
consolidated its political hold on the Lebanese Government. Iran is 
probably consistently the largest threat to peace in the Middle East as 
they defiantly continue their unmistakable march to nuclear capability.
  In the coming days, the next step in an escalation against Israel 
will take place should the Palestinians seek recognition as a state 
from the United Nations. Instead of negotiating directly with Israel, 
as the Palestinians have often committed to do as far back as the Oslo 
agreement, they are about to seek to exclude Israel from any role in 
deciding issues that are critical to achieving a permanent peace. That 
must not occur. This action could set back the peace process for 
decades to come. The Obama administration is assiduously attempting to 
stop this dangerous move.
  Today, as it has done in the past, Congress must stand firm with 
Israel. It must oppose any Palestinian action at the U.N. which would 
circumvent its commitment to negotiate. Our support for Israel must be 
united. We must speak with one voice--Democrat and Republican, House 
and Senate, Congress and the administration. The administration has 
said it will veto a Security Council resolution that would recognize a 
Palestinian state, and it must do that.
  The U.N. rules for admission require that any applicant before the 
U.N. be ``peace loving'' and ``willing and able to carry out the 
obligations of the U.N. charter.'' The U.N. charter calls for ``faith 
in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human 
person.'' It calls on members to ``practice tolerance and live together 
in peace with one another as good neighbors.'' The PA is not there yet.
  U.N. membership and statehood itself is not a gift. It is not a 
right. It is earned. There is a responsible path for the Palestinians. 
Direct negotiations with Israel are the only way to produce a 
Palestinian state and the only way to achieve a lasting peace, just as 
direct negotiations produced peace between Israel and Egypt and Israel 
and Jordan.
  Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for direct talks to begin 
immediately, as have President Obama and so many of our colleagues. Why 
should the Palestinians be rewarded by the U.N. for refusing to 
negotiate with Israel?
  If the Palestinians have elected to pursue confrontation over 
negotiation with Israel, we must rethink our efforts to support the 
Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority. Today, the Senate foreign 
operations subcommittee, of which I am a member, will be marking up the 
international affairs appropriations bill, which happens to be the same 
day the PA is considering making its plea at the United Nations. The 
bill is strong on holding the PA accountable should it attempt such a 
misguided maneuver. We cannot reward unilateral acts. We cannot reward 
bad behavior borne of a clear rejection of the only proven path to 
peace.
  Many of my colleagues and I understand that a great number of 
Palestinians want what we all want in this country--in New York and 
Ohio and across our country--and what people want in Israel: a better 
life for their children, a life of peace and prosperity between and 
among peoples.
  I am confident the administration will veto any Security Council 
recognition of a Palestinian state, but there are other options and 
possibilities before the U.N., such as seeking recognition from the 
General Assembly as a nonmember state. While it is a different name and 
comes by different procedures, it doesn't solve the Palestinians' 
fundamental problems of avoiding the tough negotiations and the 
internal consensus-building that are essential for peacemaking to 
succeed. That is why U.S. leadership is so important at this critical 
time. That is why we must all speak with one voice and stand firm in an 
unbreakable bond

[[Page S5798]]

with our ally Israel. Until we hold those who seek to destroy Israel 
accountable, it will always be a tough time for our closest ally.
  I yield the floor and 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. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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