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Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic Parties voted to pass a resolution denouncing the decision made by President Barack Obama’s administration to support the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of the settlements in Israel.
On Thursday, the House passed the resolution after reaching a 342-80 vote. Almost all of the Republican lawmakers supported for the resolution along with 109 votes from the Democratic Party.
The majority vote was made in response to the criticism made against the Obama administration after it decided not to veto the U.N. Security Council’s resolution regarding the Israeli settlements. The White House’s decision to condemn the settlements was viewed by many as a surprising betrayal especially since Israel is one of the U.S.’ closest allies. In addition, the administration has used its veto powers in the past to support Israel.
On Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan referred to the administration’s anti-Israel settlement as a hindrance to attaining peace in the Middle East.
“This government, our government, abandoned our ally Israel when she needed us the most,” he said according to The Hill. “These types of one-sided efforts are designed to isolate and delegitimize Israel. They do not advance peace. They make it more elusive.”
The recent passing of the resolution could the first step of the U.S. lawmakers’ efforts in thwarting the expansion of the U.N. Security Council’s decision on Israel. It could give President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration the momentum that it needs to continue the U.S. commitment to providing aid to Israel.
Although it is not yet clear what lawmakers intend to do following the passing of the resolution, there have already been talks about enforcing concrete actions against the U.N. One of these includes cutting the international body’s funding from the U.S., which was suggested by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
