Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, the effort to establish a lasting peace in the Middle East does not lend itself to a simple up or down vote on a resolution in Congress, and so I rise to offer my thoughts on the resolution before us today.
While I voted in favor of H. Res. 268, because it reinforces the importance of direct talks for a two-state solution, I was disappointed with the resolution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that was brought to the floor today. The fact is that this resolution was made possible because of the absence of a viable peace process.
I am disappointed with the resolution not so much because of the general contents of the resolution, but because this resolution does not treat the issue with the serious and careful consideration that it deserves. It is simply one in a series of votes in the House that fail to address the entirety of the conflict and take instead political shots at one side of the conflict.
Israel is and has always been a close friend and ally of the United States, and rightfully so. We share many goals and values, including a strong commitment to a vibrant democracy and diverse economy. Too often, however, Congress uses resolutions regarding the Middle East as referenda on whether or not a particular Member supports or does not support Israel, even though such support is not in question. That is unfortunate and does a disservice to the effort to establish peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Obama Administration, like its predecessors, has been working to keep the two parties at the table and to try to ensure that they can make the necessary compromises to ensure that type of lasting peace. Here in Congress, we should be supporting these important efforts, rather than playing political games, given the real-life consequences that this conflict is having on millions of people's lives and on our own country's security interests.
I am glad to see that today's resolution encouraged the formation of a two-state solution through the process of direct negotiations. I am also glad to see that it acknowledges the work that President Obama has done to try and ward off unilateral attempts to break out of the negotiating process. This resolution also importantly notes the violent and harmful actions of Hamas.
Yet I am disappointed that the resolution specifically criticizes the Palestinians for their actions but does not acknowledge that the Israeli government has also not always moved productively toward peace--in particular, through the ongoing construction of new settlements in the West Bank.
Furthermore, the truth of the matter is that the failure of the peace talks has provided the opening for an alliance between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas and, in their view, a reason for them to go before the United Nations, rather than continue direct talks. I support the continuation of direct talks and do not believe this issue should be resolved before the U.N. But make no mistake that the failure to achieve sufficient progress in talks has provided momentum to this latest effort to seek the U.N.'s involvement. That is all the more reason why Congress should prioritize real progress over political games.
I am further disappointed that the resolution misstates U.S. law, incorrectly claiming that current law precludes the United States from providing aid to the Palestinian Authority if it agrees to share power with Hamas. Current law rightfully provides an exception to the prohibition in order to enhance border security and the peace process.
In addition, I do not believe it would be beneficial to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority. This aid provides Fatah with negotiating leverage among their fellow Palestinians against Hamas. Security experts, including Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and others, have warned against such a cutoff, since it could destabilize the security situation on the West Bank. Fortunately, the language of the resolution only asks that the Administration consider withholding such aid, yet this is still unwise.
Congress could--and Congress should--take the peace process in the Middle East more seriously than it has with this resolution and similar resolutions before it.