Members of Congress Speak Out Against UN Action on Israel

Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement:

“The constant end run to the UN by the Palestinian Authority has been harmful to the peace process. It has given a false hope to the Palestinian people, but has not in any way helped them.  It has enabled the Palestinian leadership to avoid true efforts to make peace with Israel, and to continue denying that the State of Israel has a right to exist.

The repercussions of this Administration taking any action on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process that changes US policy have not been fully realized. Frankly, by even considering a potential change to US policy, President Obama has tarnished trust in the United States.

We are standing here today to express that this dabbling with a UN Security Council resolution that unilaterally recognizes a Palestinian state, dictates steps or parameters to the parties, or issues condemnations against Israel is detrimental, and is against the will of the American people and the interest of the United States. Any such resolution by the UN Security Council must be vetoed.”

– Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Congressman Lamborn was joined by Representatives Trent Franks, French Hill, Lee Zeldin, Garret Graves, and Ron DeSantis. They were joined by Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust.

“What [the Palestinians] have so far been unable to accomplish on the battlefield they have sought to accomplish via the political battlefield at the United Nations. One Jewish state versus 21 Arab states, within 56 Islamic states, in turn the largest single bloc within the 119 states of the so-called Non-aligned movement….

Whatever the actual substance of a possible resolution—which is still unknown—a parameters resolution setting out the terms of the end result of non-existent negotiations, or declaring settlements (the allegedly offensive presence of Jews on Arab-claimed territory) to be illegal—it is a win for belligerence and sustained rejection of a Jewish state.

The only thing standing in the way of this mob is the veto of the United States at the UN Security Council. The veto power is not a tool which the United States uses lightly, but it exists because it is absolutely essential to protect the values of our country, our Constitution, and our firm understanding of right and wrong.”

– Anne  Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust

“As we saw in October this year, when UNESCO voted to recognize the Temple Mount as holy to Muslims only, the United Nations is nothing if not a platform for the world’s anti-Semites to espouse their vile hatred of Jews. Since the first Bush Administration, it has been the United States policy to veto any third party resolutions which impose action on Israel relating to their peace talks with the Palestinians. Despite this sensible, bipartisan American tradition, there are rumors that President Obama will not veto anti-Israel U.N. resolutions passed during the lame duck and may even take executive action against Israel – targeting both the nation and anyone who supports Jewish settlements. We hope and pray that the President does not use the final days of his presidency to harm Israel, but if he does, Congress is prepared to everything within our Constitutional powers to stop him and reverse the damage.”

– Chairman Trent Franks (AZ-08)

“I support a two-state solution, however, history has shown that only Israel has been willing to make the tough compromises and concessions that are necessary for peace. It is my belief that only through direct negotiations will the two parties be able to resolve their differences. The idea that the United Nations Security Council is the vehicle to accomplish a resolution will not yield the best results, and I am proud to have been joined by colleagues to commit our support for direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine in order to bring peace to this conflict.”

– Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

“President Obama should not act in any manner adversarial to Israel during his final weeks in office. There is no greater friend and reliable ally to the United States than Israel. We have a mutually beneficial relationship, as Israel remains a most important strategic partner in the Middle East. With the turmoil and unrest we see around the world, especially in the Middle East, it’s essential that we remain committed to building a stronger relationship with our greatest ally, Israel.”

– Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-1)

http://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1863&mc_cid=a33ef72501&mc_eid=Ys8oIzpEmm