These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to Rep. Gallegly's Camarillo, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week Rep. Gallegly adds another question and answer. Please add your comments.
July 8, 2011
Question: How did you vote on H.Res.268, reaffirming the United States' commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?
Answer: With my support, the House of Representatives approved H.Res.268 by a vote of 407-6 on July 7.
This resolution would reaffirm support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states, a democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a democratic, Palestinian state living in peace and mutual recognition. The resolution states that any Palestinian unity government must forswear terrorism, accept Israel's right to exist, and reaffirm previous agreements made with Israel. The resolution also opposes any attempt to establish or seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians.
It is time for the Palestinian Authority to accept a peaceful solution to this conflict. Instead of continuing to teach hatred, the Palestinians must teach their children that violence is never the answer to their problems. The Palestinian Authority must understand that peace is only achievable when they are willing to recognize the legitimacy of Israel to exist as a Jewish state.
And, they must understand that the solution to this conflict will only come through direct negotiations with the Israelis and not by circumventing the peace process through international parliamentary gimmickry.
For previous Questions of the Week chronologically and by topic, please see my Questions of the Week page.
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