S.Res. 5 — Introduced in Senate

III 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 5 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 3, 2017 Mr. Moran submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate in support of Israel. Whereas Israel is a strategic international partner and democratic ally of the United States; Whereas cooperation between Israel and the United States is of great importance, especially amid a troubling security situation in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe; Whereas strong relations between the United States and Israel benefit both countries and the prospects for regional stability; Whereas peace between the Israelis and Palestinians remains of strategic interest to the United States; Whereas support for Israel and peace between the Israelis and Palestinians have long standing bipartisan support in Congress; Whereas a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate in 2016 requested that the President maintain a policy of opposing one-sided United Nations Security Council resolutions targeting Israel; Whereas, on December 23, 2016, the President and his delegates at the United Nations departed from congressional directives and past United States policy by declining to use United States veto power during a vote on a United Nations Security Council resolution unfairly targeting Israel; Whereas Congress has a constitutional role in determining the laws and foreign policy of the United States; and Whereas the commencement of the 115th Congress and the inauguration of a new President create opportunities to improve relations between the United States and Israel: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate— (1) urges the President and the international community to join in supporting bilateral talks between the Israelis and Palestinians; (2) expresses support for individuals and organizations working to bring about peace and cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians; (3) opposes the use of the United Nations as a medium to unfairly impose external remedies to challenges between the Israelis and Palestinians; (4) objects to the December 2016 abstention and declination to veto United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 by delegates of the United States at the United Nations; (5) regrets and seeks to reverse the negative public criticism of Israel by United States diplomats; (6) urges the President-elect to adopt a policy of opposing and vetoing if necessary one-sided United Nations Security Council resolutions targeting Israel; (7) rejects international efforts to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist; (8) supports Israel’s right to self-defense; (9) condemns acts of terrorism and violence targeted at Israeli civilians; (10) reiterates that Palestinian political goals will never be achieved through violence; and (11) calls on all parties to return to negotiations and without preconditions, as direct discussions remain the best mechanism to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.