WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented Tuesday, Dec. 7, on the news that Argentina and Uruguay have recognized a Palestinian state, joining Brazil, which did so formally last week. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“It is incomprehensible that these nations who seek t be viewed as responsible stakeholders in world affairs would take a unilateral action like this which undermines the prospects for true, lasting peace in the Middle East.
“These nations have afforded the Palestinian Authority the biggest concession of all without demanding that they swear off violence against the Jewish people and recognize Israel’s right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state.
“It is especially disconcerting that Argentina and Uruguay would make this move given their own growing problems with Islamist extremism on their borders. Their unilateral, unconditional recognition of Palestinian claims will onlyserve to embolden others worldwide who use violence to advance their agendas.
“Recognizing a Palestinian state instead of requiring the Palestinian Authority to meet any of its commitments is not a choice that a responsible nation would make, and the decision by Brazil and Argentina to do so will negatively affect their respective efforts to join the UN Security Council.
“I would hope that other nations in the Western Hemisphere refrain from following this misguided approach and, instead, ask that the Palestinian Authority adhere to its international commitments and obligations and unconditionally return to direct negotiations with Israel.”
Ros-Lehtinen is a leading cosponsor of House Resolution 1734, which reaffirms Congressional opposition to unilateral measures to recognize aPalestinian state. Ros-Lehtinen also authored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-446), which conditioned U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority on, among other requirements, the PA“publicly acknowledge[ing] the Jewish state of Israel’s right to exist.”
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Preceding provided by Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen