Dennis Kucinich: “there is much in H. Con. Res. 460 that I do support. I support the finding that ``there will be no security for Israelis…”

“there is much in H. Con. Res. 460 that I do support. I support the finding that ``there will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians until Israel and the Palestinians, and all countries in the region and throughout the world, join together to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations.'' I support the finding that ``the United States remains committed to the security of Israel, including secure, recognized and defensible borders, and to preserving and strengthening the capability of Israel to deter enemies and defend itself against any threat.'' And I support the right of Israel to defend itself against terrorism. But what I do not support, and what I think is inappropriate for Congress to do, is to predetermine the outcome of certain questions that the Israelis and Palestinians must themselves decide. It is not the place of the U.S. Congress, if we wish to preserve the U.S. as an honest broker of a negotiated peace, to circumscribe the rights of Palestinian refugees. It is not the place of the U.S. Congress to condone, as ``new realities on the ground in Israel,'' unlawful settlements of Israelis in the Occupied Territories. Congress did not have to make inappropriate judgments such as these to offer support for the security of Israel. I believe that H. Con. Res. 460 is more of a disservice than an aid to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and for that reason, I must vote against it.”