A 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.

Bill: 116-sres-234
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-06-05
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Israel

Middle East

Palestinians

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

West Bank
Latest action: action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3263)

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-06-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution expresses support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and opposes the unilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank.</p>

tv_txt: III 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 234 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 promoting 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

That is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the policy of the United States should be to preserve conditions conducive to a negotiated two-state solution; (2) United States efforts to promote peace between the Israelis and Palestinians should explicitly endorse a two-state solution as the goal of any process to resolve the conflict’s core issues; (3) unilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank would jeopardize prospects for a two-state solution, harm Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, threaten Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity, and undermine Israel’s security; and (4) a two-state solution is the best hope to preserve Israel’s Jewish and democratic nature while fulfilling the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, creating a foundation for just and durable peace and prosperity.