[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 234--AFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES COMMITMENT TO THE 
TWO-STATE SOLUTION TO THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT, AND NOTING THAT 
ISRAELI ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY IN THE WEST BANK WOULD UNDERMINE PEACE 
          AND ISRAEL'S FUTURE AS A JEWISH AND DEMOCRATIC STATE

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Warren, 
Mr. Durbin, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Udall) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 234

       Whereas longstanding United States policy has recognized 
     that a two-state solution to achieve peace between the 
     Israelis and Palestinians would serve as the best hope for 
     peace and security in the region;
       Whereas roadmaps for peace outlined by President Bill 
     Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama 
     reflected the bipartisan United States policy promoting a 
     negotiated two-state solution that supports the self-
     determination of both Israelis and Palestinians;
       Whereas successive United States administrations of 
     different political parties identified settlement expansion 
     as an impediment to peace;
       Whereas Israel's status as a Jewish and democratic state 
     has been indispensable to its national identity throughout 
     its history;
       Whereas Israel has built and maintained relationships with 
     its Arab neighbors;
       Whereas ongoing security coordination between Israelis and 
     Palestinians promotes stability;
       Whereas deep United States-Israel cooperation provides 
     significant mutual benefit to the security and prosperity of 
     both countries and strengthens the unbreakable bond between 
     the people of each country; and
       Whereas any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 
     must guarantee Israel's security: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the policy of the United States should be to preserve 
     conditions conducive to a negotiated two-state solution;
       (2) United States efforts to promote peace between the 
     Israelis and Palestinians should explicitly endorse a two-
     state solution as the goal of any process to resolve the 
     conflict's core issues;
       (3) unilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank 
     would jeopardize prospects for a two-state solution, harm 
     Israel's relationship with its Arab neighbors, threaten 
     Israel's Jewish and democratic identity, and undermine 
     Israel's security; and
       (4) a two-state solution is the best hope to preserve 
     Israel's Jewish and democratic nature while fulfilling the 
     Palestinians' right to self-determination, creating a 
     foundation for just and durable peace and prosperity.

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