WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and colleagues in announcing their intent to introduce the Stand with Israel Act to combat the United Nation’s blatant anti-Israel bias. The legislation would block any U.S. dollars from going to the U.N. if it downgrades Israel’s status in any way, such as preventing Israel from having certain voting powers or access to committees or other roles within the organization.

“Israel is doing exactly what America would do – defend itself from brutal terrorists.  The fact that this effort to downgrade Israel’s status in the UN is even under consideration casts doubt on the legitimacy of the entire UN system and is an unacceptable betrayal of America’s principal ally in the Middle East,” the senator said.

“Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic,” Ranking Member Risch said. “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.” 

The legislation is the companion to the House of Representative’s bipartisan H.R. 9394, which Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced. 

Sens. Johnson and Risch were joined by Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), 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.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

Full text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here.

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