Charleston Leader

Recently, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia joined 33 Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Stand with Israel Act. This legislation aims to halt U.S. funding to United Nations agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of Israel. The bill was led by Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It also serves as companion legislation to a bipartisan House bill HR 9394 introduced by Congressman Mike Lawler from New York.

Senator Capito expressed her concerns about the UN's stance towards Israel, stating: "The UN and its agencies have increasingly become a platform for anti-Israel forces to target the world’s only Jewish state. At the same time, countries like Iran and Russia have been free to maintain their status while launching ballistic missiles at their neighbors. If this ridiculous project to downgrade the membership of Israel—a free, democratic country and rightful member state—moves forward in the UN, the U.S. has no choice but to finally withdraw all support from a failed institution."

Reports suggest that the Palestinian Authority is planning to attempt downgrading Israel's status at the UN following a resolution passed on May 10, 2024, which enhanced its status at the United Nations. The Stand with Israel Act seeks to stop U.S. funding for any UN agencies engaging in actions against Israel's participation.

Senator Capito has consistently supported measures holding the UN accountable regarding its treatment of Israel. This includes participating in joint statements against anti-Israel efforts during recent sessions of the UN General Assembly and addressing issues such as Hamas’s acts of violence without adequate condemnation or investigation by the UN.