Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's speech to the United Nations (UN) regarding a push by Palestinians for a UN Security Council vote for statehood:

 
"President Obama is correct that statehood must come through negotiations between Palestinians and Israel and not the UN, but I was disappointed in his failure to specifically state opposition to Palestinians forcing a UN vote on this critical issue.  Quite frankly, the reason for this proposed action is the result of President Obama's weak and incoherent Middle East policy. Israel and Palestine must reach a mutual agreement on their future and I am hopeful that a peaceful resolution comes soon.  But there can be no agreement without full Palestinian acknowledgment of Israel's right to exist as a nation-state, with Jerusalem as their capital."

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