March 29, 2024

House considering a bill condemning anti-Israel U.N. resolution

House GOP leaders announced late Monday that the House will vote later this week on legislation condemning United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which bars Israel from building settlements in land claimed by the Palestinians.

The resolution, which passed 14-0 in late December, was affirmed after President Barack Obama told the United States delegation to abstain from voting on it. Since the U.S. is a permanent member of the U.N’s security council, a veto from the U.S. would have meant that the resolution would have automatically failed.

In the past under Obama and previous administrations, the U.S. delegation has killed bills similar to Resolution 2334 with a veto.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) announced the bill Monday in a joint statement, which they said would have bipartisan support when the bill goes to a floor vote on Thursday.

“This Administration has lost all credibility when it comes to Israel. The Administration’s stunt at the UN hurt our ally Israel and made peace in the region even more difficult to achieve.” the duo said.

“This Thursday, the House will not abstain from its responsibility and will vote on a bipartisan resolution reaffirming our longstanding policy in the region and support of Israel,” they explained.

Following the passing of Resolution 2334, Senate Democrats issued a scathing statement addressing Obama’s decision to abstain from vetoing the resolution and allowing it to pass. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was the loudest voice condemning Obama’s action, along with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Vt.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.). These democrats have said they will work with their Republican colleagues to make it clear they support Israel.

The Obama administration has denied any involvement in moving the resolution through the U.N. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly disputed this claim, stating that Obama not only “colluded” with the U.N. to ensure that the resolution passed, but that he helped “craft” it as well. Top Israeli officials say they have “ironclad” evidence to prove their claims, which they say they will share with President-elect Donald Trump after he assumes office later this month.

The Senate is also expected to at least introduce a similar measure this week, which also has bipartisan backing.

For some, however, simply condemning the U.N. is not enough. At least two senators, Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) have called for the U.S. to strip all of its U.N. funding until the U.N. repeals its anti-Israel resolution.

Source: The Blaze

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