H. Res. 1765 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

December 15, 2010. 

Whereas a true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be achieved through direct negotiations 

between the parties; 

Whereas Palestinian leaders have repeatedly threatened to 

declare unilaterally a Palestinian state and to seek recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Nations and 

other international forums; 

Whereas Palestinian leaders are reportedly pursuing a coordinated strategy of seeking recognition of a Palestinian 

state within the United Nations, in other international 

forums, and from a number of foreign governments; 

Whereas, on November 24, 2010, Mahmoud Abbas, leader of 

the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation 

Organization, wrote to the President of Brazil, requesting 

that the Government of Brazil recognize a Palestinian 

state, with the hope that such an action would encourage 

other countries likewise to recognize a Palestinian state; 

Whereas, on December 1, 2010, in response to Abbas’s letter, 

the Government of Brazil unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state; 

Whereas, on December 6, 2010, the Government of Argentina 

announced its decision to recognize unilaterally a Pales-
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tinian state, and the Government of Uruguay announced 

that it would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state in 

2011; 

Whereas, on March 11, 1999, the Senate adopted Senate 

Concurrent Resolution 5, and on March 16, 1999, the 

House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent 

Resolution 24, both of which resolved that ‘‘any attempt 

to establish Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating 

process will invoke the strongest congressional opposition’’; 

Whereas, on October 20, 2010, Secretary of State Hillary 

Rodham Clinton stated, ‘‘There is no substitute for faceto-face discussion and, ultimately, for an agreement that 

leads to a just and lasting peace.’’; 

Whereas, on November 5, 2010, United States Department 

of State Spokesman Mark Toner, responding to a question about the Palestinians possibly taking action to seek 

recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, 

said, ‘‘[T]he only way that we’re going to get a comprehensive peace is through direct negotiations, and anything that might affect those direct negotiations we feel 

is not helpful and not constructive’’; 

Whereas, on November 10, 2010, Secretary Clinton stated, 

‘‘we have always said and I continue to say that negotiations between the parties is the only means by which all 

of the outstanding claims arising out of the conflict can 

be resolved. . .There can be no progress until they actually come together and explore where areas of agreement 

are and how to narrow areas of disagreement. So we do 

not support unilateral steps by either party that could 

prejudge the outcome of such negotiations.’’; 
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Whereas, on December 7, 2010, Assistant Secretary of State 

for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley stated, ‘‘We don’t 

think that we should be distracted from the fact that the 

only way to resolve the core issues within the process is 

through direct negotiations.’’; 

Whereas, on December 10, 2010, Secretary Clinton stated, 

‘‘it is only a negotiated agreement between the parties 

that will be sustainable’’; 

Whereas the Government of Israel has made clear that it 

would reject a Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence, has repeatedly affirmed that the conflict should 

be resolved through direct negotiations with the Palestinians, and has repeatedly called on the Palestinian leadership to return to direct negotiations; and 

Whereas efforts to bypass negotiations and to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state, or to appeal to the United Nations or other international forums or to foreign governments for recognition of a Palestinian state, would violate 

the underlying principles of the Oslo Accords, the Road 

Map, and other relevant Middle East peace process efforts: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two 

states, a democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a viable, 

democratic Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace, 

security, and mutual recognition; 

(2) reaffirms its strong opposition to any attempt to 

establish or seek recognition of a Palestinian state out-
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side of an agreement negotiated between Israel and the 

Palestinians; 

(3) urges Palestinian leaders to— 

(A) cease all efforts at circumventing the negotiation process, including efforts to gain recognition 

of a Palestinian state from other nations, within the 

United Nations, and in other international forums 

prior to achievement of a final agreement between 

Israel and the Palestinians, and calls upon foreign 

governments not to extend such recognition; and 

(B) resume direct negotiations with Israel immediately; 

(4) supports the Administration’s opposition to a 

unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state; and 

(5) calls upon the Administration to— 

(A) lead a diplomatic effort to persuade other 

nations to oppose a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and to oppose recognition of a Palestinian state by other nations, within the United Nations, and in other international forums prior to 

achievement of a final agreement between Israel 

and the Palestinians; and 

(B) affirm that the United States would deny 

recognition to any unilaterally declared Palestinian 

state and veto any resolution by the United Nations 
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Security Council to establish or recognize a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated by 

the two parties. 

Attest: 

Clerk.