Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey Statement on H. Con. Res. 460 June 23, 2004 Mr. Speaker, today this House passed a resolution expressing support for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, expressing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and insisting that the Palestinians and all Arab states create and utilize the capacity to dismantle terrorist organizations and fight terrorism. These are all things we should and must support.

But once again, this House has missed an opportunity to express support not only for Israel’s withdrawal from settlements in the Palestinian territories, but also support for the rebuilding of infrastructure in a future democratic Palestine.

This conflict isn’t about who has the stronger military, and it’s not about lines in the sand. It’s about people’s lives, and it’s about the notion that we humans are better than all the death and destruction that’s become so commonplace. There are channels in place to achieve peace; we must utilize them. I oppose unilateral action in peace just as I oppose unilateral action during war. Unilateralism may work in the short term, but it is unsustainable in the long term. That’s why the U.S., the world’s largest democracy, must provide leadership to both the Israelis and the Palestinians to take steps towards peace.

In 2002, President Bush established what he called the “Road Map” to Peace in the Middle East. This Road Map established bilateral, incremental steps that Israel and the Palestinians must take to attain peace. The Quartet – composed of the U.N., the U.S., the EU, and Russia – was intended to be the group overseeing this process. But the Bush Administration has chosen rhetoric over action, letters over deeds, meetings over negotiations. President Bush’s letter to Ariel Sharon – the principles of which this resolution endorses – is not suitable compensation for neglecting to sit down with leaders on both sides to work out a peaceful resolution of this long-standing crisis.

This House must stop passing strongly-worded resolutions on behalf of a President who is unwilling to fully support those statements through diplomatic means in the Middle East. To achieve a real and lasting peace, we must instead engage in balanced efforts to re-establish trust, respect and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.