July 8, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
House Resolution Reaffirms U.S. Support of Israeli Peace Efforts
AIPAC welcomes yesterday’s passage of House Resolution 268 threatening to restrict U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) if its leaders continue to evade direct negotiations with Israel and seek statehood at the United Nations. The measure also calls on President Obama to consider suspending American financial assistance to the PA as a result of its reconciliation with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization sworn to Israel’s destruction.
Following last week’s passage of a companion resolution in the Senate, AIPAC appreciates Congress’s support of Israeli efforts to forge a lasting peace with the Palestinians through direct negotiations and without the threat of violence.
The resolution in the House — introduced by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) — passed by an overwhelming vote of 407-6.
“We ask and call upon the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table and join the Israelis in direct discussions to end this conflict,” said Rep. Cantor during debate on the House floor. “Furthermore, we call on the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to renounce the violence Hamas condones and teaches to its followers.”
Rep. Hoyer urged Palestinian leaders to refrain from “symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations,” arguing that “peace must be negotiated, not imposed from the outside.”
“Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection,” he added. “Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.”
The companion resolution in the Senate (S. Res. 185) passed last week by unanimous consent and was introduced. by Sens. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Casey (D-PA), John Thune (R-SD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Jim Risch (R-ID).
RELATED: View the full text of House Resolution 268 and Senate Resolution 185.