First appearance on FOXSenate Republicans denounced a UN General Assembly vote that, if passed, would label the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) presence in Gaza and the West Bank an “illegal presence” and require the country to withdraw from those areas within six months.
“This proposal put forward by the Palestinian delegation before the UN General Assembly is an utter disgrace that promotes terrorism and is a clear insult to the Jewish people and all who understand their history,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement signed by 28 other Republicans.
Signatories included Idaho Republican James Risch, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
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Senator Rubio led dozens of Republican senators in condemning the UN's upcoming vote on the Palestinian Authority resolution. (Reuters)
The Palestinian Authority's draft proposal reportedly cites the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a non-binding opinion issued in July, which declared Israel's presence and actions in Palestinian territory a violation of international law. Associated Press.
The UN General Assembly is reportedly due to vote on the resolution on Wednesday.
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Israeli soldiers take positions next to a building that was destroyed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, Friday, September 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian terrorist groups against innocent Israeli civilians, including murder, mutilation and sexual violence, the international community must firmly oppose this evil, unilateral attempt to delegitimize Israel,” the Senate Republican statement said.
October 7, 2024 will mark one year since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that left around 1,200 people dead and hundreds taken hostage in Gaza.
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On July 4, Israeli tanks conducted training exercises near the Israel-Gaza border. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
Since then, Israel and Hamas forces have continued to fire artillery at each other, Israel has conducted multiple targeted attacks and hostage rescue missions, and the United States and neighboring Middle Eastern countries have tried to push for a ceasefire, but an end to the fighting has yet to be achieved.
“Instead of proposing lopsided and counterproductive efforts that will do nothing to advance a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace, the international community must focus its energies and resources on completely destroying Hamas and other terrorist groups,” the Republican statement continued. “We must remain resolute in our efforts to ensure that all hostages held by these terrorists are returned safely to their families.”
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Families of Israeli hostages are marching to Jerusalem carrying photos of their loved ones being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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The proposal, if passed by the 193-member UN General Assembly, would not be legally binding or enforceable, but it would reflect global opinion on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Votes in the General Assembly do not carry a veto, making them distinct from votes in the 15-member UN Security Council.
