WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of a Palestinian bid for “non-member observer state” status. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) released the following statement:

“With U.N. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice’s vote against this measure, the Obama Administration once again demonstrated the United States’ unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and the urgency of a negotiated peace. Now, as always, the U.S. rejects any attempt at Palestinian statehood outside of direct, bilateral negotiations with the Israelis.

"As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday, this was an ‘unfortunate and counterproductive resolution at the United Nations General Assembly.’ As we have said for years, and as Ambassador Rice reiterated, real peace will only be found once the Israelis and the Palestinians come together to find a way to live side by side. Statements and resolutions from the UN, or anyone else, will not make it so.

“In the wake of this month’s rocket attacks from Gaza and the fragile calm of a cease-fire agreement, it is more important than ever that the Palestinians return to the negotiating table in order to move toward a real and lasting peace in the Middle East.”