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Rep. Walsh Renews Call to Rethink Aid to Palestinians and U.N.

WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-08) renewed calls to rethink U.S. aid to the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority until they both end the campaign for unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood.  A resolution to change the Palestinian Authority's U.N. observer status from entity to non-member state is expected to pass easily today in the General Assembly. 

"Once again, the United Nations has revealed its astounding anti-Israel bias.  By voting to upgrade the Palestinians' observer status, the General Assembly is rewarding the Palestinians not only for abandoning bilateral negotiations with Israel, but also for last week's unprovoked attacks on innocent Israeli citizens.  How is rewarding the Palestinians for violence a good recipe for peace?"

Walsh has authored several pieces of legislation aimed at restarting bilateral peace negotiations in the Middle East.  His Palestinian Accountability Act, H.R. 2457, withholds U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until it institutes a series of reforms, including ending both the incitement to violence against Israel and its bid for unilateral recognition of statehood at the United Nations.  It also would withhold U.S. funding to the United Nations if the General Assembly votes to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state.  He also authored a resolution, H.Res. 394, that supports Israel's right to annex Judea and Samaria if the Palestinians continue to pursue statehood at the United Nations.

"I applaud Secretary Clinton for publicly opposing this vote; however, it's time to hold the Palestinians and the United Nations accountable for their actions.  With a $16 trillion national debt, the United States should not be contributing hundreds of millions of dollars a year to an organization that actively opposes U.S. interests and publicly vilifies U.S. allies.  The American taxpayer should certainly not be responsible for funding the Palestinian Authority so that it can renege on its commitments and abandon peace negotiations with Israel.

"Israel is the United States’ strongest democratic ally in the Middle East.  It is in the best interests of U.S. national security to defend and stand by Israel.  Peace in the Middle East is only possible through a strong and secure Israel."