S.Res. 203 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 203 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 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.