The video embedded above shows the jubilant celebrations taking place in Gaza, while we were attacked on September 11.  No, it wasn’t just a few “extremists” who were celebrating; it was the average Joe Palestinian.   Unfortunately, not only have we declined to treat them as an enemy, we have refused to cut off any foreign aid.  Instead, the Bush and Obama administrations have diverted our diplomatic resources towards the insane ‘peace process’ and the inexorable goal of a Palestinian state.

Over the past few years, we have given over $600 million a year to this terrorist entity, which receives more per capita aid than any other people or nation.  This includes, direct assistance, weapons, security training, infrastructure, and funds transferred through UNRWA.  In July, Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) introduced the Palestinian Accountability Act (H.R. 2457), which seeks to cut off aid to the PA.  Last week, he introduced a resolution expressing the support of Congress for Israel to annex Judea and Samaria, if the PA unilaterally declares statehood.

Now, more than ever, is a time to stand with our ally, Israel.  Thanks in large part to the lovely Arab Spring of “democratic revolutionaries,” Israel is beleaguered and surrounded by hostility on all sides.  Additionally, their embassy in Cairo was almost seized, and Turkey, once a prominent ally, is practically threatening them with war.  In other old news, Hamas terrorists in Gaza are firing rockets into their cities on a daily basis.

On September 20, the PA plans to ask the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria, thereby sealing the fate of Israel’s destruction.  There is a realistic chance that many European countries will recognize a Palestinian state.  Russia is already offering enthusiastic support for a declaration of statehood.  Last year, Obama expressed his hope for such an outcome.  The Palestinians are now using Obama’s stated support for their media campaign.  Accordingly, it is imperative that we send them a strong message by expressing our support for Israel to counter such a move by annexing Judea and Samaria.  John Boehner and Eric Cantor should bring this resolution for a vote before next week’s meeting of the UN General Assembly.

This will also help expose the Democrats for their duplicity on the issue.  They tend to align themselves with Israel for political reasons, but are nowhere to be found when it comes time to offer robust assistance to this besieged ally.  Democrats are already opposing Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s commonsense bill (HR 2829) to reform UN funding.  They will only support vapid bills and resolutions that lack accountability measures.

Here is the statement from Congressman Walsh:

“The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly violated peace agreements and has even joined forces with the terrorist group Hamas.  But the United States has continued to give aid to the Palestinians on the one condition that they continue to negotiate with Israel for peace.  Now the Palestinians can’t even do that and have cut Israel completely out of the process by pushing for unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.  This is the last straw.  It is clear that the Palestinian Authority no longer has any interest in peace.”

“We must stand firmly by Israel because a strong and secure democracy in the Middle East is absolutely vital to American security.  The Palestinian Authority has to negotiate directly with Israel.  If it is going to continue to cut Israel out and violate its peace agreements, then the United States must support Israel’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and the security of its citizens.”

“A U.N. recognized Palestinian state would potentially put Israelis directly under the sovereignty of a group of people that have sworn the destruction of Israel and its people.  This is unacceptable, and, in the absence of a negotiated peace agreement, Israel has the right to protect its citizens living in Judea and Samaria by annexing those territories.”

Every recent president has attempted to forge a legacy out of the insanity that is known as the Middle East peace process.  The next president will achieve a true legacy by putting an end to this circuitous madness, and by pursuing victory in the Middle East.

Congressman Walsh’s H. Res. 394 will go a long way in embarking on that goal.  The Republican Study Committee is supporting the resolution.  Hopefully, other Republicans will co-sponsor the resolution.  During the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we all need to remember who is with us and who is against us.