[MULTIPLE LETTERS BELOW]

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding reports that the U.S. may be willing to support a U.N. Security Council resolution critical of Israeli settlements:

“I was extremely shocked and dismayed to learn today that the U.S., a critical ally and friend of Israel, may be considering supporting a U.N. resolution at the Security Council critical of Israeli settlement policies.  The U.N. is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli sentiment, and the U.S. must not act to further such hatred in any way or to help inject the U.N. into what should be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.  The Administration should make clear that it will veto any such Security Council resolution, and will not aid and abet Arab states in any attempt to use the U.N. to inflame Israeli-Palestinian disputes.”

Click HERE to read letter from Congressman Peter King (R-NY)

Click HERE to read letter from Congressma​n Rob Andrews (D-NJ)

US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ):

WASHINGTON – With news reports that UN Ambassador Susan Rice offered to support a draft statement affirming that the Security Council “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity” during UN negotiations today, US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is urging the Obama administration to reconsider its offer and veto a resolution that would essentially fuel anti-Israeli sentiment by condemning Israel’s activities in the region:
 
“There are only two parties that are competent to address the issue of settlements and two parties that can move the negotiations forward. The U.S. role is in facilitating those negotiations, encouraging the parties, and using its voice and vote to object to any action that threatens to derail progress.  Today, the U.S. lost sight of its role in this process and instead facilitated and encouraged anti-Israeli sentiment by conceding an argument that was not ours to concede. The United States must stand by its ally Israel and veto this flawed United Nations resolution.  ”
 
“Moreover, the merits of any peace proposal between the Israelis and the Palestinians must always be weighed against the assurances Israel requires for its security, which is especially apparent given the current turmoil in the Middle East.  Israel’s right to exist and defend itself is inalienable and must be explicitly recognized by its Arab neighbors and the United Nations.”

Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), a Republican, are currently circulating a letter to colleagues describing the offer of a statement criticizing settlements as “unprecedented” and “a disconcerting change in U.S. foreign policy.” Click HERE for full letter.

Reports have surfaced that the United States is negotiating with a group of Arab nations about supporting a possible United Nations Security Cuoncil presidential staement critical of Israel and possibly taking other similar steps in exchange for Arab agreement to withdraw a UNSC resoution and deeming Israeli construction the West Bank and East Jeruslaem illegal. It is also not clear whether the U.S. would veto a resolution on settlments should it be brough to the Un Security Council. It should not be the practice of the U.S. to be conducting back door deals, of any sort, that weaken the strategic interests of any ally — let alone of of our closest allies. We strongly urge you to make it clear tha the U.S. will oppose any U.N efforts to pressure Israel on the “settlement” issues.

Statement from Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md) blasting the Palestinian-backed resolution: Click HERE for full letter.

 Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), a New York Democrat, signals that pro-Israel Democrats aren’t going to be on board with this:

This is too clever by half. Instead of doing the correct and principled thing and vetoing an inappropriate and wrong resolution, they now have opened the door to more and more anti-Israeli efforts coming to the floor of the U.N. The correct venue for discussions about settlements and the other aspects of a peace plan is at the negotiating table. Period.

(YWN Desk – NYC / Politico)