Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement commending the Obama Administration on today’s Security Council veto and urged the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.

“The Obama Administration’s veto of a Security Council resolution targeted at Israel was a bold demonstration of its support for Israel and its support for peace between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“The Palestinians are undermining their own best interests by persistently pushing for UN votes condemning Israel. Such actions by the Palestinian Authority will not bring peace, nor will it improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Instead, it will only prevent the start of negotiations between the parties.

“Now that the latest games at the Security Council are over, I hope both parties will return to the serious business of achieving peace.”