A resolution reaffirming the commitment of the United States to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, reaffirming opposition to the inclusion of Hamas in a unity government unless it is willing to accept peace with Israel and renounce violence, and declaring that Palestinian efforts to gain recognition of a state outside direct negotiations demonstrates absence of a good faith commitment to peace negotiations, and will have implications for continued United States aid.

Bill: 112-sres-185
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
International law and treaties
Israel
Middle East
Palestinians
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: 
Reaffirms support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic Jewish state of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state living in peace and mutual recognition.
 
States that any Palestinian unity government must forswear terrorism, accept Israel's right to exist, and reaffirm previous agreements made with Israel.
 
Opposes any attempt to establish or seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated between leaders in Israel and the Palestinians.
 
Urges Palestinian leaders to cease efforts at circumventing the negotiation process, including through a unilateral declaration of statehood or by seeking recognition of a Palestinian state from other nations or the United Nations (U.N.).
 
Supports the President's opposition to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. 
 
States that the Senate will consider restrictions on aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) should the PA persist in efforts to circumvent direct negotiations.
 
Reaffirms the requirement under U.S. law precluding assistance to a PA that includes Hamas unless that PA and all its ministers accept Israel's right to exist and all prior agreements and understandings with the governments of the United States and Israel.

action_date: 2011-06-28
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Reaffirms support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic Jewish state of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state living in peace and mutual recognition.
 
States that any Palestinian unity government must forswear terrorism, accept Israel's right to exist, and reaffirm previous agreements made with Israel.
 
Opposes any attempt to establish or seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated between leaders in Israel and the Palestinians.
 
Urges Palestinian leaders to cease efforts at circumventing the negotiation process, including through a unilateral declaration of statehood or by seeking recognition of a Palestinian state from other nations or the United Nations (U.N.).
 
Supports the President's opposition to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. 
 
States that the Senate will consider restrictions on aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) should the PA persist in efforts to circumvent direct negotiations.
 
Reaffirms the requirement under U.S. law precluding assistance to a PA that includes Hamas unless that PA and all its ministers accept Israel's right to exist and all prior agreements and understandings with the governments of the United States and Israel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4163)
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S4163)
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4162-4163)
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4162-4163)
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2998-2999)
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate