Jerry Nadler: “we all fervently desire the successful conclusion of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that would…”

“we all fervently desire the successful conclusion of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to live free from violence and from the fear of violence. If part of such a mutually agreed, mutually negotiated agreement is the establishment of the Palestinian state with agreed upon borders, and agreed upon and acceptable security guarantees for Israel, I do not believe the United States would have any reason to object. But a unilaterally declared Palestinian state with no agreed upon borders, with territorial claims certainly conflicting with those of Israel, and with no security guarantees for Israel, is guaranteed to destroy the peace process and is very likely to result in violence and even war. That is why last July I introduced, along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds), the Middle East Peace Process Support Act which now has over 100 cosponsors and is the basis of the bill we have before us today. I believe this is an essential bill. I look forward to an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote for it. The Peace Through Negotiations Act is meant to send a very clear signal to Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Authority. Do not destroy the peace process. Do not condemn the Middle East to another round of violence and war by unilaterally declaring an independent Palestinian state. We warn you now, the United States will not recognize such a state. It will not give aid to such a state.”