[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14083-14084]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         U.N. STATEHOOD EFFORTS

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to address the Palestinian 
efforts to gain statehood at the United Nations, which is occurring 
this week. As most of us are aware, Palestinian Authority President 
Abbas has signaled that he intends to ask the United Nations for 
acceptance as a full member state. Several of my colleagues--and I 
might add from both sides of the aisle--have expressed grave concern 
over this Palestinian initiative.
  President Obama has indicated if this initiative is brought to a vote 
before the Security Council, the United States plans to veto it. I 
support that. However, even if the veto occurs, President Abbas may 
then choose to ask the

[[Page 14084]]

General Assembly to upgrade Palestinian status to that of a nonvoting 
observer state. If allowed to become a nonvoting observer state, 
Palestinians could then participate on U.N. committees and bring 
allegations against Israel to the International Criminal Court and 
International Court of Justice. Recognizing a Palestinian state in this 
manner could also lead to further isolation of Israel within the Middle 
East. These are outcomes we simply cannot tolerate.
  Israel, beyond any shadow of a doubt, is a stalwart friend and ally 
of the United States. They share our core values as a nation. They are 
a thriving democracy in a part of the world where democracies are very 
hard to find. And importantly, they stand strong with us in the battle 
against international terrorism. Thus, it is absolutely imperative we 
stand with Israel and do everything we can to send a very clear and 
straightforward message. That message is this: The United States stands 
with our friends and we will not allow an international organization to 
undermine this important and valued friend.
  Congress has been very clear on this imperative. Our strong 
bipartisan commitment was reinforced earlier this summer when both the 
Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed 
resolutions reaffirming the commitment of the United States to direct 
negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The resolutions 
included opposition to this Palestinian bid for U.N. statehood in a 
Palestinian Government that includes Hamas.
  In light of this unwavering bipartisan support from Congress, it is 
crucial that our President continue to make it absolutely clear that 
the United States stands firm in our opposition to this effort. We have 
an opportunity and we must signal to the rest of the world that a 
lasting peace, which we all want to achieve, will only result from 
direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and not 
through parliamentary procedure at some international organization. 
While the United States supports a two-state solution, we will not 
tolerate actions by international organizations to drive a wedge into 
the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Although President Abbas claims 
his initiative is a peaceful approach to resolving the conflict, the 
Palestinian Authority has refused time and time again to come to the 
negotiating table and to deal directly with Israel. Setting up 
roadblock after roadblock, President Abbas has demanded preconditions 
that have not applied to previous negotiations.
  This bid for U.N. statehood also violates the 1993 Oslo peace 
agreements signed by the Palestinian Authority which required the peace 
process to continue through direct negotiations. The U.N. statehood bid 
is counterproductive to a two-state solution as it will further damage 
Israel's confidence in the Palestinian Authority as a legitimate 
negotiating partner. Unfortunately, President Abbas's intention to form 
a unity government with Hamas does not signal support or pursuit of a 
lasting peace. Hamas has made clear that they have no intention of 
ending attacks on Palestinians or Israelis and working toward a two-
state solution.
  Let me be very clear: If the Palestinian Authority continues to 
associate with Hamas and refuses to negotiate directly with Israel, of 
course there are consequences. I can assure you the Senate and the 
House of Representatives will stand together to make our disapproval 
known. U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority is not on cruise control. 
Congress will not walk away from supporting an appropriate way forward 
in the peace process that respects the equal and inalienable rights of 
all people. We will not and cannot stand idly by while others attempt 
to use the United Nations, not to bring about peace, but to undermine 
our closest allies and friends.
  As President Obama and his administration continue efforts to resolve 
this issue before it is brought up to the Security Council, I ask them 
to do all they can to relay the disapproval of Congress and what 
President Abbas is trying to do and to stand without equivocation, 
shoulder to shoulder, with our friend, the state of Israel. It is our 
best chance of bringing peace to the region.
  I yield the floor and note 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. PRYOR. 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.
  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I would like to speak for 5 or 10 minutes, 
and my understanding is we may still be in the Republican time, but 
they have allowed me to speak now.
  (The remarks of Mr. Pryor pertaining to the introduction of S. 1606 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. 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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