Casey Introduces Resolution Opposing Palestinian Efforts to Seek Unilateral Recognition at U.N.

Press Release

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution opposing Palestinian efforts to seek unilateral recognition at the United Nations and expressing firm belief that any Palestinian unity government must publicly and formally forswear terrorism, accept Israel's right to exist, and reaffirm previous agreements made with Israel.

The resolution also supports the position taken by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in April 2009 that the United States "will not deal with or in any way fund a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless and until Hamas has renounced violence, recognized Israel and agreed to follow the previous obligations of the Palestinian Authority."

Senator Casey, along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Thune (R-SD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the resolution following the recent announcement that the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have reached a unity agreement. The resolution firmly states that the UN is not the right forum for a declaration of Palestinian statehood. Instead this should be done in direct peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

The summary of the resolution is as follows:

"To reaffirm America's commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. To reaffirm opposition to the inclusion of Hamas in a unity government unless it is willing to accept peace with Israel and renounce violence. To declare 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 US aid."

The Full text of Resolution is below.

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