Ros-Lehtinen to Send Letters Thanking Nations that Voted Against Palestinian Statehood Scheme at UN

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced today that she will send letters, together with other Republican and Democratic Members of Congress, thanking the seven foreign governments who joined the United States and Israel in voting against the United Nations General Assembly's recent decision to upgrade the status of the "Palestine" (PLO) observer mission to "Non-Member Observer State." Text of the letters follows:

Dear [Head of Government/Head of State]:

We write to thank your government for joining the United States and Israel in voting against the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution to upgrade the status of the "Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine" (i.e., the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission) at the UN to "Non-Member Observer State."

We strongly support the achievement of a negotiated, true, and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. For that reason, we opposed the Palestinian leadership's decision to reject direct negotiations with Israel and, instead, unilaterally seek recognition of a non-existent Palestinian state by international organizations and foreign governments. We appreciate your courageous opposition to the UN General Assembly's irresponsible decision to support this reckless unilateral Palestinian statehood scheme--and we regret that more nations did not follow your example. Unfortunately, because of the UN General Assembly's actions, lasting peace and security between Israel and the Palestinians is even further away from becoming reality.

Thank you again for opposing the UN's decision to back the unilateral Palestinian statehood scheme. By voting "No," you did the right thing for peace, for Israel, and for the Palestinian people. Please know that we will always support your efforts to do the right thing at the UN.

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