News

Engel and Ros-Lehtinen are quick to try to stifle Palestinian state

This is amusing/concerning/the same old story. The Brazilians decide they’re sick of the neverending peace process that only results in Palestinian dispossession, and let’s recognize a Palestinian state, and who jumps in with four feet? The Israel lobby. Two congresspeople. Note that Eliot Engel is sanctifying a UN resolution that is now 43 years and has produced little but suffering for the Palestinians:

Rep. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, today strongly condemned Brazil’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

He issued the following statement: “Brazil’s decision to recognize Palestine is severely misguided and represents a last gasp by a Lula-led foreign policy which was already substantially off track. If you couple this with Lula’s coddling of Ahmadinejad, it presents a very bleak picture of a government which wants to establish itself as a voice in the world, but is making the wrong choices as it tries to do so. One can only hope that the new leadership coming into Brazil will change course and understand that this is not the way to gain favor as an emerging power or to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. 

“Today’s action violates the spirit of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, the ‘land for peace’ resolution which is the basis of the Middle East Peace Process. Brazil is sending a message to the Palestinians that they need not make peace to gain recognition as a sovereign state.”

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on the Government of Brazil’s recognition of a Palestinian state, pursuant to a prior request by Palestinian Authority head Abu Mazen.

“Brazil’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state is regrettable and will only serve to undermine peace and security in the Middle East. The decision ignores Hamas’ control over Gaza and ignores the Palestinian leadership’s failure to abide by its international commitments.

“Responsible nations should urge Palestinian leaders to meet their commitments, stop incitement such as denying the Jewish people’s connection to the Wailing Wall, return to direct negotiations with Israel, and recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, before any discussion of a potential Palestinian state.

“NOTE: Ros-Lehtinen is a leading cosponsor of House Resolution 1734, which reaffirms Congressional opposition to unilateral measures to recognize a Palestinian 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.’”

PS. Here is Gil Maguire lauding the Brazilian decision.

21 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments