Two US senators have introduced legislation to withdraw funding for the United Nations over last month’s resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction on the occupied Palestinian territories.
The bill, called the Safeguard Israel Act, was presented Thursday by Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, and would cut off funding for the UN until the US president confirms the repeal of the Security Council Resolution 2334 that called Israel’s settlements a violation of international law.
The US, which has vetoed similar measures in the past, abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to be adopted.
Sen. Cruz said President Barack Obama “betrayed decades of robust bipartisan American support for Israel” by having his administration abstain from voting.
“Congress must hold the UN accountable and use our leverage as its largest contributor to push for the repeal of this resolution, making it clear to the world that Congress stands…