Over 100 U.S. House lawmakers are raising alarms over Israel's status at the United Nations, threatening to withhold funding if its position is downgraded amid tensions with the Palestinian Authority. The bipartisan group of legislators sent a stern letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing their outrage over what they perceive as dangerous unilateral steps by the U.N. to undermine Israel's rights.
This threat arises after the International Court of Justice issued advisory opinions deemed unfavorable to Israel, particularly following the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives. Lawmakers argue such moves could strip Israel of key privileges within the U.N. General Assembly, with potentially significant consequences for American funding, which accounts for approximately one-third of the U.N. budget.
The letter, spearheaded by Representatives Jared Moskowitz and Mike Lawler, indicates bipartisan discontent with attitudes at the U.N. Lawmakers voiced their concerns over previous votes and resolutions, particularly one from September where 124 countries voted to declare the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories illegal. Only the United States and 13 other countries opposed this vote, indicating a clear rift between Israel and many members of the international community.
With the U.N. perceived as increasingly hostile to Israel, the letter emphasizes Congress's dissenting views, claiming, "We will not accept the U.N.'s continued hostility toward our ally Israel." They remind Guterres of the U.S.'s financial significance to the organization, effectively issuing a warning: changes to Israel's status could jeopardize U.N. funding.
Representative Moskowitz characterized the U.N.'s position as one lacking neutrality, insisting, "The U.N. is not acting as a neutral party but has clearly aligned with those undermining Israel's right to defend itself." This follows decades of complex relations at the U.N., where Israel's actions and policies toward the Palestinians have often been met with international criticism.
The backdrop to these tensions is Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have faced scrutiny for their impact on civilians. Following the Hamas attacks, Israel launched extensive retaliatory strikes resulting in significant civilian casualties on the Palestinian side—estimates suggest over 40,000 deaths, according to the Gaza Strip Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas.
The bipartisan warning to the U.N. reflects growing grievances among lawmakers concerning Israeli military solutions and their broader impacts. Many Democrats within Congress have voiced dissatisfaction, calling for ceasefires and critiquing Israel's military tactics. This climate of dissent poses challenges for traditional support structures, with the debate now extending deeply within the corridors of power.
The Biden administration has also entered the fray, with officials cautioning Israel against ignoring the grave civilian toll of military actions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently articulated expectations for negotiations aimed at achieving ceasefires and addressing humanitarian concerns, hinting at possible shifts on the U.S. side should these concerns remain unaddressed.
It's evident this situation is far from stagnant—with lawmakers now engaging deeply on both funding and the broader narrative around Israel's legitimacy at international forums. The question of how this will play out remains open, with expectations building around both diplomatic negotiations and potential legislative actions as members of Congress weigh the consequences of continued support amid growing tensions.
