From: DeGette@mail.house.gov [mailto:DeGette@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:14 PM
Subject: Response from Congresswoman DeGette

Dear Professor:

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission" on the Gaza Conflict or the "Goldstone Report," and issues related to violence in the Middle East. I am glad to have the benefit of your views on this issue and appreciate the opportunity to share mine.

The House of Representatives voted on H. Res. 867, a resolution calling on President Barack Obama and the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to oppose any endorsement or further consideration of the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict" at the United Nations. On November 3, 2009, I joined with 344 of my colleagues to pass this resolution in the House of Representatives.

While I have questions about the foundation of this report and the execution of the fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict, I voted in support of this resolution because it encourages the President and the Secretary of State to refrain from supporting further consideration and debate on the Goldstone Report within the United Nations. Debating the details of this report will only continue to drive people away from resuming negotiations toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I believe that if the House of Representatives is going to make policy statements involving the Middle East, it should oppose violence in all of its forms and should support President Obama's efforts to bring the two sides together to resume constructive dialogue.

I have a deep respect for the differing views held by the people on this critically important matter. It is my hope we can all agree that the death of innocent civilians in this conflict is unacceptable and must end. There should be an understanding that violence will never lead to peace in the Middle East. It should be clear that inflammatory rhetoric will lead only to more dead ends and stalled negotiations. For my part, I will look for opportunities to work with the Obama Administration to support its efforts to improve stability and prosperity for region by making progress in the Middle East.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Please feel free to visit my website at www.degette.house.gov. There you can sign-up for my e-mail newsletter and stay up-to-date with events in Congress.

Sincerely,

Diana DeGette
Member of Congress