Lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to veto a prospective Palestinian Authority-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israeli housing plans in Judea and Samaria.
A draft resolution obtained by the Associated Press demands an immediate halt to all Israeli building activities across the Green Line, and could be put to a vote as early as Monday.
In response, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to wield Washington’s veto to strike down the “biased, anti-Israel” initiative.
“As the U.N. Security Council once again moves to consider another one-sided, biased, anti-Israel resolution, it is imperative that the United States maintain its position that only direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians can yield progress. For this reason, we urge your administration to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose and veto any anti-Israel action, including resolution, at the U.N. Security Council,” said the letter.
The Biden Administration must use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose and veto any anti-Israel action—including resolutions—at the UN Security Council.
My letter with @RepMcCaul and @SteveScalise to President Biden: pic.twitter.com/NNjQAQ7JR9
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) February 18, 2023
Today, CHM @RepMcCaul, @SpeakerMcCarthy, & Majority Leader @SteveScalise sent a letter to @POTUS urging him to instruct @USAmbUN to oppose & veto any one-sided, anti-Israel action at the UN Security Council
pic.twitter.com/1TWisqOLjB
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) February 17, 2023
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) similarly called on Biden to veto the move, saying the “resolution will not lead to peace and only furthers anti-Israel actions at the U.N.”
The Biden Administration must use its veto in the @UN Security Council to defend our ally #Israel. This resolution will not lead to peace and only furthers anti-Israel actions at the UN. https://t.co/B1Q0JxptHQ
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member (@SenateForeign) February 17, 2023
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) noted that amid ongoing threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, the United Nations was continuing its “anti-Israel obsession.” Accordingly, he said, Biden should not follow in the footsteps of the Obama administration by allowing the passage of a resolution denouncing Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria.
Hagerty was referring to UNSC Resolution 2334, which rejects the legality and legitimacy of any Israeli presence beyond the 1949 armistice lines. The Obama administration, at the tail end of its tenure, abstained during the December 2016 UNSC vote, thereby allowing its passage.
Rather than focus on grave threats posed by China, Russia, Iran & North Korea, the UN continues its anti-Israel obsession.
Biden should stand w Israel & veto this resolution. Do not repeat the shameful Obama-Biden abstention on UNSCR 2334 in Dec 2016.https://t.co/TjGgMxtRe8
— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) February 17, 2023
This resolution is an affront to Israel’s sovereignty and wellbeing, full stop.
The Biden administration must completely oppose and reject this and any UN efforts to attack and undermine our friend and ally. https://t.co/1Fkotb5VQa
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) February 16, 2023
I have and always will stand with the Israeli people. The UN Security Council is set to hold yet another targeted vote against Israel. I strongly call on the Biden administration to VETO this resolution at the UNSC and stand by our Israeli allies.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) February 17, 2023
The Biden Administration must use its veto in the @UN Security Council and defend our ally #Israel.
My full statement
https://t.co/9445VG7x10
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) February 18, 2023
The Biden Administration must use its veto in the @UN Security Council and defend our ally #Israel.
My full statement
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) February 18, 2023
Once again, the United Nations Security Council plans an unjust resolution condemning Israel. @USAmbUN must veto this resolution and show the world that the United States stands firmly with Israel.
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) February 16, 2023
This resolution is the UN’s latest attack on Israel’s sovereignty. Biden must veto this measure in the security council and reaffirm that the United States will always stand beside our ally. https://t.co/04x7iIqxJp
— Congressman Max Miller (@RepMaxMiller) February 18, 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with both Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, ahead of the anticipated showdown at the UNSC.
Blinken reaffirmed to both leaders Washington’s “commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and opposition to policies that endanger its viability,” according to the State Department. He also “underscored the urgent need for Israelis and Palestinians to take steps that restore calm, and [the Biden administration’s] strong opposition to unilateral measures that would further escalate tensions.”
The Biden administration is struggling to balance between Israeli settlements and a two-state resolution between the Israelis & the Palestinians keeping ties with their progressive supporters, according to Politico.
In a joint announcement Tuesday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the British foreign secretary and the U.S. Secretary of State said that they were “deeply troubled” by Israel’s decision to advance “nearly 10,000 settlement units” and its intention “to begin a process to normalize nine outposts that were previously deemed illegal under Israeli law.”
Palestinians have felt anger and frustration as many believe the Palestinian Authority has bowed to US pressure in the Security Council, according to Arab News.
“This step will weaken Palestinian foreign diplomacy,” said Nasser Al-Kidwa, a former Palestine Liberation Organization representative at the UN.
“Next time we will not find a country that votes on our side because of the lack of clarity in our political strategy and the state of confusion that governs individual Palestinian diplomatic work.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed earlier on Tuesday to promote unrestrained construction in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, despite opposition from the Biden administration.
“The real answer to [Palestinian] terror is to continue to build, to continue to set roots in the Land of Israel,” said Smotrich at a meeting of his Religious Zionism Party in Givat Harel, one of the nine outposts the Security Cabinet decided to legalize.
“The American response is entirely understandable,” he continued, but “the [Biden] administration knows that this government is committed to the settlements. There’s nothing wrong with two friends having disputes. They understand, and that’s the way things will continue.”
Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate.
