Hoeven, Risch Introduce Legislation Combatting Israel’s Persecution at UN

Hoeven, Risch Introduce Legislation Combatting Israel's Persecution at UN

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and 32 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Stand With Israel Act 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. This comes in response to reports indicating that 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 which enhanced the PA's status at the United Nations on May 10, 2024.

"Without Israel's partnership, terrorists, extremists, and authoritarians would run rampant across the Middle East, threatening global security and positioning themselves to target the United States directly," said Hoeven. "That's why it's important we send a message to the UN by showing support in defending our vital ally."

"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."

Joining Hoeven and Risch in cosponsoring this legislation are Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala. ), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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