Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) released the following statement regarding Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress earlier today May 24, 2011.  In Congress, Rep. Schwartz has an influential role on policies regarding the U.S.-Israeli relationship through her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and as such, Rep. Schwartz was asked by House Democratic Leadership to be part of a small and select group of Members of Congress who personally escorted Prime Minister Netanyahu into the Congressional chamber for his address.

“I respect and admire Prime Minister Netanyahu’s dedication to achieve lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, and I appreciate that he has taken the time to address a joint session of Congress.  It is clear that Israel is committed and eager to reaching a peace agreement.  The Palestinians must show that they are willing and capable of the same. 

“Direct negotiations are the only way agreement can be reached on the key outstanding issues, including the border.  Any decision on the shape of the border must be negotiated directly between the Israelis and the Palestinians and must accommodate Israel’s current population and security needs.

“I share the Prime Minister’s concerns regarding the new Palestinian government power-sharing deal between Fatah and Hamas. Hamas has long been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization and we must ensure that absolutely no U.S. funds end up supporting terrorists or terrorist activities.

“Hamas continues to actively reject peace, continually firing missiles into Israel in an attempt to terrorize the Israeli population and undermining any attempts to reach a peace agreement between Israel and her neighbors.  The Prime Minister rightly made clear that just as Israel has recognized the right of the Palestinian people to have a Palestinian state, so too must the Palestinians recognize the right of the Jewish people to have a Jewish state.

“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu when I sat down with him last month in Israel, the United States remains staunchly committed to Israel’s prosperity and security.  I will continue to do everything possible to support Israel and its quest for peace.”

####