Committee News

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Share/Bookmark

Ros-Lehtinen Objects to Push for UN ‘Recognition’ of Palestinian State

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today expressed opposition to proposals for the United Nations to “recognize” the unilateral creation of a Palestinian state. According to reports, a UN official recently expressed support for the unilateral creation of an independent Palestinian state by next summer. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Instead of promising support for unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, the UN should be demanding that Palestinian leaders meet their commitments, resume direct negotiations with Israel, and recognize Israel’s right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state. Those steps are the only way to get the ball rolling towards true, lasting peace; not unilateral declarations, and not biased and prejudicial UN measures.

“The facts are clear: Israel is committed to peace. Israel is looking for a partner for peace. Will the Palestinian leadership finally answer that call? Will the UN finally play a positive role in support of peace, rather than continue along its current misguided path?”

NOTE: Yesterday, the United Nations Special Middle East Peace Negotiator said “All international players are now in agreement that the Palestinians are ready for statehood at any point in the near future. … We are in the homestretch of your [Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s] agenda to reach that point by August next year and you have our full support.” He added that the UN Security Council could support a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state if the Israeli government did not re-impose a moratorium on housing construction in the West Bank.

####