III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 234 

Affirming the United States commitment to the two-state solution to the 

Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and noting that Israeli annexation of territory 

in the West Bank would undermine peace and Israel’s future as a 

Jewish and democratic state. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 5, 2019 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. WARREN, 

Mr. DURBIN, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. UDALL) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Affirming the United States commitment to the two-state 

solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and noting 

that Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank 

would undermine peace and Israel’s future as a Jewish 

and democratic state. 

Whereas longstanding United States policy has recognized 

that a two-state solution to achieve peace between the 

Israelis and Palestinians would serve as the best hope for 

peace and security in the region; 

Whereas roadmaps for peace outlined by President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack 

Obama reflected the bipartisan United States policy proVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR234.IS SR234

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•SRES 234 IS 

moting a negotiated two-state solution that supports the 

self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians; 

Whereas successive United States administrations of different 

political parties identified settlement expansion as an impediment to peace; 

Whereas Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state has 

been indispensable to its national identity throughout its 

history; 

Whereas Israel has built and maintained relationships with 

its Arab neighbors; 

Whereas ongoing security coordination between Israelis and 

Palestinians promotes stability; 

Whereas deep United States-Israel cooperation provides significant mutual benefit to the security and prosperity of 

both countries and strengthens the unbreakable bond between the people of each country; and 

Whereas any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 

must guarantee Israel’s security: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That is the sense of the Senate that— 

2 (1) the policy of the United States should be to 

3 preserve conditions conducive to a negotiated two4 state solution; 

5 (2) United States efforts to promote peace be6 tween the Israelis and Palestinians should explicitly 

7 endorse a two-state solution as the goal of any proc8 ess to resolve the conflict’s core issues; 

9 (3) unilateral annexation of portions of the 

10 West Bank would jeopardize prospects for a twoVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR234.IS SR234

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•SRES 234 IS 

1 state solution, harm Israel’s relationship with its 

2 Arab neighbors, threaten Israel’s Jewish and demo3 cratic identity, and undermine Israel’s security; and 

4 (4) a two-state solution is the best hope to pre5 serve Israel’s Jewish and democratic nature while 

6 fulfilling the Palestinians’ right to self-determina7 tion, creating a foundation for just and durable 

8 peace and prosperity. 

Æ 


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