January 6, 2017
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is working on a Senate resolution objecting to passage of the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution about Israel. Among other things, Schumer’s resolution calls for the UN resolution about Israel, to be repealed or fundamentally altered. “Since the days of ‘Zionism is racism,’ the U.N. has been a fervently anti-Israel body and, unfortunately, that bias has never diminished. Knowing this, past administrations – both Democrat and Republican – have protected Israel from the vagaries of this biased institution. Unfortunately, by abstaining on United Nations Resolutions 2334, this administration has not followed in that path. This Senate resolution reaffirms that peace must come through direct negotiations in order to achieve a sustainable two-state solution,” said Senator Schumer.
“I am deeply disappointed that the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 2334, which is a one-sided text that makes direct negotiations for a two-state solution more challenging. Our Senate Resolution sends the message that the U.S.-Israel partnership is ironclad,” said Cardin. “Going forward, Congress will take action against efforts at the UN or beyond that use Resolution 2334 to target Israel. I hope that in 2017 we can look at policies and actions that facilitate resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and I stand ready to support productive efforts.”
“Efforts to delegitimize Israel have been underway a long time at the United Nations and have now sadly been aided by the outgoing administration, but the time has come to turn back the tide and renew America’s commitment to the Jewish state,” said Rubio. “When it comes to the U.S.-Israel alliance, we believe that senators of both parties must stand firmly with Israel and condemn efforts to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. This resolution expresses the Senate’s rejection of continued anti-Israel efforts at the United Nations, reiterates our commitment to Israel, and urges the incoming administration to work with Congress on this issue,” Schumer stated.
Congressman Tom Reed voted on a similar resolution in the House of Representatives. “This is just the capstone of the President’s failed foreign policies which placate our enemies, betray our allies and makes our world more dangerous,” said Reed. “It’s just not right.”
