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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 203 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 203

  Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding efforts by the United 
States to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated 
                          two-state solution.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 30, 2013

Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding efforts by the United 
States to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated 
                          two-state solution.

Whereas the special relationship between the United States and Israel is rooted 
        in shared interests and shared values of democracy, human rights, and 
        the rule of law;
Whereas the United States has worked for decades to strengthen Israel's security 
        through assistance and cooperation on defense and intelligence matters 
        in order to enhance the safety of Americans and Israelis;
Whereas the United States remains unwavering in its commitment to help Israel 
        address the myriad challenges our ally faces, including threats from 
        anti-Israel terrorist organizations, regional instability, horrifying 
        violence in neighboring states, and the prospect of a nuclear-armed 
        Iran;
Whereas, the United States continues to seek a permanent, two-state solution to 
        resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a fundamental 
        component of our Nation's commitment to the security of Israel;
Whereas, for 20 years, Presidents of the United States from both political 
        parties and Israeli Prime Ministers have supported a two-state solution 
        to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
Whereas ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital to the interests of all 
        parties and to peace and stability in the Middle East;
Whereas a peace agreement that establishes a Palestinian state, coexisting side-
        by-side with Israel in peace and security, is necessary to ensure that 
        Israel remains a Jewish, democratic state;
Whereas, recognizing the urgency of the situation, Secretary John Kerry made 6 
        trips to the Middle East in his first 6 months as Secretary of State in 
        an effort to resume negotiations toward a two-state solution;
Whereas, on July 29, 2013, representatives of Israel and Palestine engaged in 
        face-to-face talks in order to move toward a resumption of formal 
        negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's final status issues: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) a two-state solution is the only outcome to the 
        Israeli-Palestinian conflict which can--
                    (A) ensure the State of Israel's survival as a 
                secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people; and
                    (B) fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the 
                Palestinian people for a state of their own;
            (2) achievement of a two-state solution that would enhance 
        stability and security in the Middle East is a fundamental 
        United States security interest;
            (3) while only Israel and Palestine can make the difficult 
        choices necessary to end their conflict, the United States 
        remains indispensable to any viable effort to achieve that 
        goal;
            (4) Secretary of State John Kerry is to be commended for 
        his tireless efforts to urgently advance a negotiated two-state 
        solution; and
            (5) the Senate pledges its support for a sustained United 
        States diplomatic initiative to help Israel and Palestine 
        conclude an agreement to end their conflict.
                                 <all>
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