On the recordNovember 29, 2016
As always, I want to thank our esteemed chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), as well as our ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), who is so wonderfully represented by the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman). I thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel for authoring this very important resolution, which I am proud to cosponsor. And while I fully support this measure and I urge all of my colleagues to back it as well, I wish that this resolution was not needed; but, sadly, we know better. The fact that we need to bring this up for debate and pass a resolution urging a United States administration to uphold longstanding U.S. policy as it relates to the peace process is telling and also disappointing, Mr. Speaker. These next 2 months are going to be crucial for our friend and ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel, and the U.S.-Israel alliance, which must remain ever strong. Israel is facing a constant barrage by the Palestinians and their supporters at the United Nations, and there are indications that Abu Mazen will once again attempt to further his plan for unilateral statehood through the Security Council. Ordinarily, any attempt to dictate a two-state solution or impose parameters on negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians would be summarily dismissed by the United States.…





