WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY) today introduced the Safeguard Israel Act. Last month, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that unfairly targeted our longtime U.S. ally Israel and undermined direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Safeguard Israel Act will cut off funding to the United Nations until the President certifies to Congress that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 has been repealed.

“I meant it when I said that the United States should seriously reexamine our financial support of the United Nations,” Congresswoman Granger said. “The recent one-sided, anti-Israel resolution that passed the U.N. Security Council was only the latest example of the U.N.’s warped priorities and hostility toward our friend and democratic ally. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Zeldin which shows the American people, Israel and our allies around the world that we stand with them against attempts to undermine and delegitimize them.”

Congressman Zeldin said, “United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 is an anti-Israel, anti-Jewish attempt on behalf of Pro-Palestinian nations to delegitimize Israel and ethnically cleanse East Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria of the Jewish people. I am proud to join with Congresswoman Granger to introduce the Safeguard Israel Act. It is disgraceful that the United Nations Security Council passed this resolution at the start of Hanukkah; a celebration of the Macabees' fight for freedom on this same very land that this resolution seeks to remove the Jewish people from. The United Nations is becoming a force for everything it was created to fight against. This resolution shamefully crosses a red line and the United States should suspend any more funding to the United Nations until this resolution is repealed.”

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the Senate companion bill on January 12, 2017.

The Safeguard Israel Act provides the reasons why Resolution 2334 should be repealed, including:

• It attempts to interfere and set conditions on direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, which contradicts the long-standing policy of the U.S. and previous commitments made to Israel.
• It claims that the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, the holiest site for the Jewish people, are “occupied Palestinian territory.”
• It paves the way for further boycott, divestment and sanction campaigns targeting Israel.
• It could enable the International Criminal Court to open an illegitimate formal investigation against Israel.

The United States funds 22 percent of the United Nations regular budget and is the largest contributor of any member state. The United States must ensure that the United Nations does not become a venue to target our allies and undermine our national security.