Jay Inslee: “in seeking a just and lasting peace in this region, I will be supporting this resolution, because it does recognize a…”

“in seeking a just and lasting peace in this region, I will be supporting this resolution, because it does recognize a fundamental change in Israeli policy of now withdrawing from at least a portion of the occupied territories, and we should recognize that although this seems an obvious first step, it is difficult in Israel; and we should recognize that accomplishment. But there are two points I want to make. First, should these parties negotiate ultimately some residence in Israel of a number of Palestinians that does not threaten the Jewish character of the Israeli state, this Nation should not discourage that decision by these parties. And, secondly, we should not act as enablers by silence in either party's taking actions that makes peace impossible. We should not enable Palestinians' violence by not being vocal against it, and we should not enable Israeli continued expansion in the West Bank, which is happening today. I stand in unison with my Israeli friends who are speaking out against the continued expansion in the settlements in the West Bank, because it is an impediment to ultimate settlement.”