(Washington, DC) - U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, today issued the following statement in response to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's announcement that the United States would be providing $900 million in assistance to the Palestinians.

“I have said for many years, that the United States has a clear stake in the survival and the success of those in the moderate Palestinian leadership camp, and that we need to apply the resources at our disposal to ensure their success. Their rivals, driven by a hateful and violent ideology have as their goal, not the creation of the State of Palestine, but the destruction of the State of Israel. There is a two-horse race for the Palestinian future, and both we, and our allies in the region, have a huge amount riding on the outcome. Sitting on our hands is not option.

America’s goals are very simple: to achieve security for Israel, and a just and durable peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. And I for one, cannot see how we can achieve either of these goals without a two-state solution, or how we can have a two-state solution without a peace-seeking, moderate and effective Palestinian Authority.

Accordingly, it is essential that both the radical Islamist vision of Hamas, and their barbaric methods, must not only fail, but must be seen to fail throughout the region. And, equally, non-violent, cooperative, moderate leaders like Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayad must be made to succeed in terms of peacefully achieving Palestinian independence and statehood if their program and their choices are to have any resonance with ordinary Palestinians.

While I am proud that the United States has today taken the lead in responding to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, there should be no doubt that these needs are the direct result of the terrorism, brutality and lawlessness which has characterized the policies and leadership of Hamas. The real responsibility for all the tragedy, wreckage and bloodshed which the United States and other nations now will try to alleviate lies with this Iran-sponsored terrorist group, Hamas. And I fear their recklessness may yet impose further tragedy on both the people of Israel and the innocent civilian population in Gaza.

Nevertheless, the time for action by America is now, and I strongly endorse the Obama Administration's readiness to put America's money where our mouth is. For too many years, American rhetoric has far outpaced American action, and I am very pleased that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have taken such a clear step in supporting those who resist the camp of terror and reestablishing our credibility.

I would add, however, that it is not just the United States that has to match actions to words. Professed friends of the Palestinian people in the Middle East, in Europe and in Asia need to pitch in as well. The challenge of bringing peace to this already badly scarred region is not the work of one nation, but of the entire international community. Even in the current financial crisis, I believe there is strong public support for providing real assistance to the Palestinian people through their legitimate political institutions and through agencies of the United Nations.    

For my part, I am committed to working with the Obama Administration and colleagues in the House to ensure that America again leads the effort to achieve a just and lasting peace built upon the idea of two states for two peoples, a democratic Jewish State of Israel living in peace and security alongside and independent, sovereign and peaceful Palestinian state.”

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