John Boozman

11/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2024 16:29

Boozman, Risch and Colleagues Introduce Stand with Israel Act to Combat Israel’s Persecution at UN

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 32 of their colleagues in introducing the Stand with Israel Act, legislation to cut off U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.

"As one of our closest friends and allies, the United States remains firm in our support for Israel and its right to defend itself," said Boozman. "The Palestinian Authority's reported intent to jeopardize Israel's standing at the UN is incredibly disturbing. I'm proud to join my colleagues to condemn any efforts to restrict or undermine the Jewish State's full participation."

"Any attempt to alter Israel's status at the UN is clearly antisemitic," said Risch. "If UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel's status at the UN, the United States must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all I can to ensure any changes to Israel's status will come with consequences."

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Scott (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), James Lankford (R-OK), John Thune (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS). Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17).

BACKGROUND

  • Reports indicate the Palestinian Authority (PA) will attempt to downgrade Israel's status at the UN.
  • The PA is able to do this after the UN General Assembly passed a biased resolution that enhanced the PA's status at the United Nations on May 10, 2024.
  • The Stand with Israel Act would cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. The bill is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the Palestinian Authority to a member state.

Text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here.