[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 144 (Monday, September 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

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                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2011

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our friend 
and ally, the state of Israel. The Palestinians have asked the United 
Nations to recognize a Palestinian state. President Obama has pledged 
to veto such a resolution if it is brought before the Security Council, 
so we know this effort will not succeed. More importantly, the 
Palestinians know this effort will not result in the recognition of a 
Palestinian state. This is nothing more than an attempt by Palestinian 
leaders to isolate Israel.
  President Abbas has walked away from the negotiating table, signed an 
agreement to bring the terrorist organization Hamas into the 
Palestinian government, and, through this unilateral effort to seek 
recognition through the U.N., Abbas is turning his back on a negotiated 
peace with Israel. But, as the President has stated, there are no 
shortcuts to peace. The only way to realize a lasting peace is through 
negotiation. This is the real issue. Every time the Palestinians and 
the Arab world have shown up for negotiations with Israel, Israel has 
shown up and made painful concessions. Now, sitting across from Israel 
at the negotiating table is an empty chair.
  Palestinian leaders argue that negotiations with Israel won't work 
and have now run to the United Nations to seek unilateral recognition 
of a Palestinian state. But the Palestinian Authority cannot say that 
negotiations won't work if they are not willing to show up and try to 
make them work. So I say to President Abbas, return to the negotiating 
table. Israel is waiting.
  And countries that are considering supporting the Palestinians' 
efforts at the U.N. should understand that this Congress will not allow 
them to vote against Israel at the U.N. with one hand and come to 
Congress to seek taxpayer dollars for military financing with the other 
hand. That is why I have introduced H.R. 2893, which would cut off 
Foreign Military Financing to any country that supports the recognition 
of a Palestinian state at the U.N. in the absence of a negotiated peace 
with Israel.
  Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East, a strategic 
ally and a close friend of the United States. Our country's commitment 
to Israel is unshakeable. I am proud of the strong support for Israel's 
security that Congress has demonstrated time and time again. And it is 
important to point out that our support for Israel has historically 
been and continues to be overwhelmingly bipartisan. Given the threats 
facing Israel, the long friendship between our two nations, and 
Israel's strategic importance to the United States, it is critical that 
the U.S.-Israel relationship remains strong.

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