The House will vote on a resolution on Thursday that would oppose a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that the Obama administration declined to block.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the upcoming vote to oppose UN Security Council Resolution 2334 in a joint statement.
“This administration has lost all credibility when it comes to Israel,” the lawmakers said. “The administration’s stunt at the UN hurt our ally Israel and made peace in the region even more difficult to achieve. 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.”
In condemning the Obama administration’s decision to abstain from voting on the UN resolution, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) said Congress has repeatedly stated that only direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians could lead to lasting peace.
“As bad as this all is, the president’s action should surprise no one,” Dent continued. “His abdication from America’s traditional global leadership and security role — coupled with a disturbing, dangerous global disengagement and detachment that has created political vacuums — has led to the ascendency and empowerment of Russia and Iran, while leaving longstanding American friends and allies bewildered and dismayed.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said the Obama administration’s decision not to veto the resolution marked a low point in the 68-year history of U.S-Israel diplomatic relations.
“Fortunately, a new administration and bipartisan Congress will begin to rebuild trust and cooperation with Israel, and begin anew on the road to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” McMorris Rodgers said.