H. Con. Res. 165
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend the House on passage of H. Con. Res. 165, which reaffirms Congress' approach to Israel and Palestine. This bipartisan resolution supports the longstanding approach of the United States as a facilitator of bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine. It properly recognizes that a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only come about through direct, mutual negotiations between the two parties. Attempts by Congress or other outside bodies to interfere with bilateral negotiations by establishing parameters or imposing solutions on Israel and Palestine will inevitably complicate the situation and delay its peaceful resolution.
Since 1972, the United States has opposed and vetoed 42 United Nations Security Council resolutions dictating binding parameters on the peace process. The current Administration has time and again refused to aid Israel by tolerating Palestinian threats, harming the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and undermining Israel's peacemaking efforts. Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, and I believe the country deserves our full support. I have consistently demanded this Administration recognize the importance of Israel, and today's resolution provided another opportunity to affirm my commitment to our relationship with that nation. I strongly urge continued opposition to efforts by the UN Security Council to force agreements that are one- sided or anti-Israel.
Israel has continuously demonstrated its willingness to coexist with its neighbors, and the United States must promote direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians, not the international intervention of the United Nations or other bodies. Through passage of this resolution, the House of Representatives publicly reaffirmed our support for bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine, demonstrated the strength of our relationship with Israel, and rebuked faulty attempts to impose the terms of peace.
I was proud to join my colleagues in support of this important resolution.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source