House Stands with Ally Israel, Rejects President's Dangerous UN Decision

"Chairman Ed Royce's (R-CA) bipartisan legislation – H. Res. 11 – which opposes the anti-Israel United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 and calls for its repeal. On the House floor prior to the vote, Chairman Royce delivered the following remarks (as prepared for delivery):

'Today, we put Congress on record objecting to the recent U.N. Security Council Resolution that hurt our ally Israel and, I believe, puts an Israeli-Palestinian settlement of two states for two people further out of reach.

Mr. Speaker, the United States has long recognized that a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict can only come about through direct, bilateral negotiations between the two parties.

That's why it is longstanding U.S. policy to veto the many one-sided or anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Security Council that violate that principal.

But just the other week, the Obama Administration broke with this longstanding U.S. policy by failing to veto UN Security Council Resolution 2334. This dangerous resolution effectively states that the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall – Judaism's holiest site – are 'occupied territory.'

Yes, the Western Wall.

It also lends legitimacy to efforts by the Palestinian Authority and its many sympathizers worldwide to put pressure on Israel through the UN and puts wind in the sails of the shameful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

Unquestionably, this U.N. Security Council action damages the prospects for peace. The resolution – and the bullying and harassment of Israel that it will spur – only happened for one reason – the Obama Administration let it happen...

That's why today's action is so important – to demonstrate our united opposition to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 and call for its repeal; to head-off any more moves the Obama Administration might have in the next few days; and to provide the foundation for the next Administration to move forcefully to counteract its dangerous impact.'"