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...; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 94
(Senate - June 05, 2019)
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[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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