Only Direct Negotiations – Not One-Sided Initiatives from Outside Parties – Can Achieve Lasting Peace Agreement
WASHINGTON – 394 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter urging President Obama to veto possible upcoming one-sided initiatives in the United Nations concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The letter was precipitated by reports that one-sided initiatives – which dangerously hinder the prospects for resuming direct negotiations – may arise at the United Nations in the coming months concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The letter is an unambiguous statement that the view of the U.S. House of Representatives is that only at the negotiating table – and not at the UN – can the parties resolve their complicated differences.
The letter was led by:
- Rep. Nita M. Lowey, Ranking Member, Appropriations Subcommittee and State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee
- Rep. Kay Granger, Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations
- Rep. Karen Bass, Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, & International Organizations
- Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chair, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, & International Organizations
- Rep. Ted Deutch, Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East & North Africa
- Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East & North Africa
Full letter follows:
Dear Mr. President:
We share your frustration with the lack of significant progress toward a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Nevertheless, we remain committed to the objective of two states for two peoples - a democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a democratic, Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. We are united in our willingness to work with you now on constructive steps to counter the recent surge in terrorist activities and foster an environment conducive to eventually restarting serious negotiations.
Only the parties themselves can agree to end their conflict through a negotiated resolution. The United States must maintain its indispensable role of mediator, which has always adhered to the following tenets:
- Close coordination with our democratic ally Israel;
- A refusal to support counterproductive efforts aimed at imposing a solution on the parties;
- Opposition to Palestinian efforts to seek recognition of statehood status in international bodies;
- A willingness to oppose and, if need be, veto one-sided United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions;
- A commitment to work with Arab states to contribute to peace and development efforts; and
- Unequivocal condemnation of terrorist organizations like Hamas until such groups recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce terror, and accept prior Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
Because of our strong commitment to these principles, we are deeply troubled by reports that one-sided initiatives may arise at the UN in the coming months concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Such efforts dangerously hinder the prospects for resuming direct negotiations.
We therefore urge you to continue to insist that it is only at the negotiating table – and not at the UN – that the parties can resolve their complicated differences. Your continued commitment to longstanding U.S. policy to veto one-sided UN Security Council resolutions remains fundamentally critical.
We stand ready to assist you in these efforts, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Nita M. Lowey
Kay Granger
Karen Bass
Christopher H. Smith
Ted Deutch
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen