108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 460
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Regarding the security of Israel and the principles
of peace in the Middle East.
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 460
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the United States is hopeful that a peaceful resolu-
tion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved;
Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the secu-
rity of Israel and its well-being as a Jewish state;
Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has proposed an
initiative intended to enhance the security of Israel and
further the cause of peace in the Middle East;
•HCON 460 EH
Whereas President George W. Bush and Prime Minister
Sharon have subsequently engaged in a dialogue with re-
spect to this initiative;
Whereas President Bush, as part of that dialogue, expressed
the support of the United States for Prime Minister
Sharon’s initiative in a letter dated April 14, 2004;
Whereas in the April 14, 2004, letter the President stated
that in light of new realities on the ground in Israel, in-
cluding already existing major Israeli population centers,
it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status
negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will be
a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949,
but realistic to expect that any final status agreement
will only be achieved on the basis of mutually agreed
changes that reflect these realities;
Whereas the President acknowledged that any agreed, just,
fair, and realistic framework for a solution to the Pales-
tinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement
will need to be found through the establishment of a per-
manent alternative and the settling of Palestinian refu-
gees there rather than in Israel;
Whereas the principles expressed in President Bush’s letter
will enhance the security of Israel and advance the cause
of peace in the Middle East;
Whereas 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;
Whereas the United States remains committed to the security
of Israel, including secure, recognized, and defensible bor-
ders, and to preserving and strengthening the capability
•HCON 460 EH
of Israel to deter enemies and defend itself against any
threat;
Whereas Israel has the right to defend itself against ter-
rorism, including the right to take actions against ter-
rorist organizations that threaten the citizens of Israel;
Whereas the President stated on June 24, 2002, his vision
of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in
peace and security and that vision can only be fully real-
ized when terrorism is defeated, so that a new state may
be created based on rule of law and respect for human
rights; and
Whereas President Bush announced on March 14, 2003, that
in order to promote a lasting peace, all Arab states must
oppose terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful
and democratic Palestine, and state clearly that they will
live in peace with Israel: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress—
(1) strongly endorses the principles articulated
by President Bush in his letter dated April 14,
2004, to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon which
will strengthen the security and well-being of the
State of Israel; and
(2) supports continuing efforts with others in
the international community to build the capacity
and will of Palestinian institutions to fight ter-
rorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and pre-