[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12659]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 203--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
    EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO RESOLVE THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN 
            CONFLICT THROUGH A NEGOTIATED TWO-STATE SOLUTION

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 203

       Whereas the special relationship between the United States 
     and Israel is rooted in shared interests and shared values of 
     democracy, human rights, and the rule of law;
       Whereas the United States has worked for decades to 
     strengthen Israel's security through assistance and 
     cooperation on defense and intelligence matters in order to 
     enhance the safety of Americans and Israelis;
       Whereas the United States remains unwavering in its 
     commitment to help Israel address the myriad challenges our 
     ally faces, including threats from anti-Israel terrorist 
     organizations, regional instability, horrifying violence in 
     neighboring states, and the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran;
       Whereas, the United States continues to seek a permanent, 
     two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and 
     Palestine as a fundamental component of our Nation's 
     commitment to the security of Israel;
       Whereas, for 20 years, Presidents of the United States from 
     both political parties and Israeli Prime Ministers have 
     supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian 
     conflict;
       Whereas ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital to 
     the interests of all parties and to peace and stability in 
     the Middle East;
       Whereas a peace agreement that establishes a Palestinian 
     state, coexisting side-by-side with Israel in peace and 
     security, is necessary to ensure that Israel remains a 
     Jewish, democratic state;
       Whereas, recognizing the urgency of the situation, 
     Secretary John Kerry made 6 trips to the Middle East in his 
     first 6 months as Secretary of State in an effort to resume 
     negotiations toward a two-state solution;
       Whereas, on July 29, 2013 representatives of Israel and 
     Palestine engaged in face-to-face talks in order to move 
     toward a resumption of formal negotiations on the Israeli-
     Palestinian conflict's final status issues:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) a two-state solution is the only outcome to the 
     Israeli-Palestinian conflict which can--
       (A) ensure the State of Israel's survival as a secure, 
     democratic homeland for the Jewish people; and
       (B) fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian 
     people for a state of their own;
       (2) achievement of a two-state solution that would enhance 
     stability and security in the Middle East is a fundamental 
     United States security interest;
       (3) while only Israel and Palestine can make the difficult 
     choices necessary to end their conflict, the United States 
     remains indispensable to any viable effort to achieve that 
     goal;
       (4) Secretary of State John Kerry is to be commended for 
     his tireless efforts to urgently advance a negotiated two-
     state solution; and
       (5) the Senate pledges its support for a sustained United 
     States diplomatic initiative to help Israel and Palestine 
     conclude an agreement to end their conflict.

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