Stand With Israel Act Gains Steam, Six Senators Join Rick Scott

Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and 31 other upper chamber legislators in bringing forward the Stand With Israel Act, a bill that would cut U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that “expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.”

This piece of legislation has gained six new co-sponsors, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Boozman (R-AR), and Roger Marshall (R-KS). They joined the bill’s support in late October.

Legislators alongside Sens. Scott, Rubio, and Risch include Mike Lee (R-UT), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Kennedy (R-LA), and others.

The bill comes in response to reports that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is attempting to “downgrade Israel’s status” in the United Nations, according to the Republicans.

Introduced by Sen. Risch, the Idaho legislator said that an attempt to change Israel’s UN status is “clearly anti-Semitic” by nature.

“Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic,” said Sen. Risch. “That said, if the UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN, the U.S. must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted that this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all we can to ensure any changes to Israel’s status will come with consequences.”

Furthermore, Sen. Scott said the UN has “lost almost all credibility” and must stand by Israel through these times.

“Unfortunately, the UN has lost almost all credibility on human rights,” said Sen. Scott. “They coddle regimes like Iran while allowing the extremists to condemn Israel, and it is absurd that U.S. taxpayer dollars are helping fund this dysfunctional organization. The U.S. must stand with Israel and Congress must make that clear by passing this commonsense bill.”

Moreover, Sen. Rubio added that the UN’s credibility has been “weakened” by this instance.

“The United Nations weakens its credibility by giving credence to the Palestinian Authority’s antisemitic initiatives. Such outrageous actions do nothing to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” said Sen. Rubio. “Time and time again, the United Nations has insulted the democratic Jewish State of Israel and its citizens with outlandish claims. It’s simple: America should not fund any organization that upholds anti-Jewish hatred and undermines our strongest ally in the Middle East.”

Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) brought forth the companion, bipartisan legislation in the House in August.