WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Justice (R-W. Va.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), today introduced the Stand with Israel Act to cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.
“Israel is one of America’s greatest allies, and under President Trump’s Administration, we will no longer tolerate—much less fund—the blatant antisemitism at the United Nations. This bill will send a clear message to the UN and any other antisemitic international organizations: if you want America’s money, you’ll need to respect our Israeli friends,” said Chairman Risch. “America will always stand with Israel.”
“For too long, the United Nations has allowed antisemitism to fester in its ranks while taking billions from American taxpayers. The Stand with Israel Act sends a clear message that America stands with Israel — and will hold the UN accountable,” said Senator Cotton.
Senator Budd said, “The UN is increasingly a hotbed of antisemitism. As our strongest ally in the Middle East, the United States stands with Israel and the Jewish people. Not a single hard-earned American taxpayer dollar should go to the UN or any international organization that tries to restrict Israel’s participation.”
“Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East. The United States will not tolerate antisemitism at the UN, and disrespect toward Israel will not be rewarded with American funding. This bill makes clear that we will continue to stand with Israel,” said Senator Lankford.
“America unequivocally backs Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, in its right to defend itself against terrorist attacks and ensure the security of its citizens. This Act will hold the United Nations accountable for antisemitic attempts to restrict Israeli participation in UN agencies as the Trump Administration works to achieve regional stability and peace,” said Senator Crapo.
“For too long, many UN agencies have hurled false accusations at and deliberately targeted Israel – serving as useful idiots for Iran and its terrorist proxies,” Senator McCormick said. “I’m proud to join Chairman Risch and our colleagues in unequivocally standing up for our great ally, Israel, and pushing back on antisemitism and anti-Israel bias at the UN.”
“Not only has the United Nations become a breeding ground for antisemitism, but its own staffers helped plan and execute Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack on Israel that killed Americans,” said Senator Ernst. “Our tax dollars should not be used to fuel hate, and especially not to fund terrorism. America stands unequivocally with Israel, and taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for U.N. agencies to attack and undermine our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
“There has been a troubling pattern of anti-Israel sentiment across the UN and its affiliated bodies that has undoubtedly undermined their credibility. Not a single dime of taxpayer money should be used to support or fuel antisemitism. It is imperative we use every tool in our toolbox to stand firm with the Jewish people and our great ally, Israel,” said Senator Britt.
“Israel is one of America’s most trusted and enduring allies, and we must stand firmly with them,” said Senator Tillis. “This legislation ensures that American taxpayer dollars are never used to fund anti-Israel efforts, bias, or discrimination at the United Nations and that tax dollars are never used to support any U.N. agency that targets Israel. We must remain unwavering in our commitment to stand alongside Israel and defend its place in the world.”
“The UN and its agencies have increasingly become a platform for anti-Israel forces to target the world’s only Jewish state. At the same time, countries like Iran and Russia have been free to maintain their status while launching ballistic missiles at their neighbors. If this ridiculous project to downgrade the membership of Israel—a free, democratic country and rightful member state—moves forward in the UN, the U.S. has no choice but to finally withdraw all support from a failed institution. I am proud to once again introduce this legislation that stands with one of our greatest allies, Israel,” Senator Capito said.
“The international community should be rallying to support Israel amid constant attacks on its right to exist – not undermining it. Certainly, the U.S. should not be funding any of the unconscionable efforts seeking to delegitimize the Jewish State. This bipartisan legislation represents our strong commitment to the Israeli people and our essential partnership,” said Senator Boozman.
“Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, which is why the Trump Administration will not support funding for antisemitic agencies within the United Nations," said Senator Blackburn. “The Stand with Israel Act would uphold this precedent by combating antisemitism and prohibiting funding for UN agencies that seek to undermine Israel’s right to exist.”
“American tax dollars have been funding the United Nations' antisemitic attacks against Israel,” said Senator Ricketts. “No more. This bill cuts off U.S. funding for international organizations who fail to respect Israel.”
“Israel has endured the attacks of violent terrorists like Hamas time and time again, and we cannot allow the UN to undermine Israel with American dollars - plain and simple. The United Nations needs to know America will not tolerate UN agencies using our tax dollars against our strongest ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Justice.
“Israel is our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East, and we stand with them as they defend themselves against terrorists and extremists,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our legislation makes it clear that we will cut off funding to any UN agency that discriminates against Israel.”
“The UN is backing agencies that aim to delegitimize Israel, one of America’s closest allies, by supporting the agendas of terrorist regimes that endanger global peace and democracy,” said Senator Cornyn. “This bill sends a clear message: international organizations that fund antisemitism or deny Israel’s right to exist will face consequences, and the United States stands firmly with the Jewish State.”
Senator Rick Scott said, “The United Nations (UN) has completely lost its credibility on human rights. After the UN General Assembly passed a biased resolution granting the Palestinian Authority enhanced status, it’s clear they are working to protect dangerous regimes while allowing extremists to target our closest ally, Israel. President Trump is sending a message to the global community that American taxpayer dollars will not be used against us or our allies, or to fuel terror around the world. Congress should do the same by passing the Stand with Israel Act, which will cut American funding to UN agencies that undermine Israel’s participation and ensure that America’s commitment to Israel is clear.”
Senator Moody said, “America unequivocally stands with Israel, and it is illogical that we would fund an organization that continually allows and perpetuates antisemitic actions all while endorsing known terrorist sympathizers. This commonsense legislation will send a message to the United Nations that acts that undermine Israel will not stand if it wants to continue receiving funding from the United States.”
“Despite receiving billions of dollars every year from the United States, the United Nations has allowed antisemitism to spread unchecked within its ranks. The Stand with Israel Act reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel, holds the United Nations accountable, and sends a clear message to Israel’s adversaries: standing against Israel means standing against the United States,” said Senator Fischer.
Background on the Stand with Israel Act:
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