III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 502 

Supporting robust relations with the State of Israel bilaterally and in 

multilateral fora upon seventy years of statehood, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 9, 2018 

Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. BOOKER) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting robust relations with the State of Israel bilaterally and in multilateral fora upon seventy years of 

statehood, and for other purposes. 

Whereas May 14, 2018, marks the 70th anniversary of the 

establishment of the State of Israel; 

Whereas May 11, 2018, marks the 69th anniversary of 

Israel’s membership in the United Nations; 

Whereas, on May 14, 1948, the United States was the first 

country to grant recognition to the State of Israel; 

Whereas Israel offers invaluable contributions to the international community, including to the fields of start-up 

economies, entrepreneurship, cyber security, military 

weaponry, counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, airport security, agriculture, water management, arid-zone 


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•SRES 502 IS 

farming, medical advances, natural gas, and other technologies; 

Whereas, in 2000, with the support of the United States Government, Israel was accepted into the Western European 

and Others Group (WEOG) at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and its membership became permanent in 2004; 

Whereas, in 2013, Israel also became a member of WEOG 

at the United Nations bodies in Geneva; 

Whereas WEOG membership made possible the election for 

2016–17 of Israel’s Ambassador as the chair of the Sixth 

(Legal) Committee of the General Assembly, and in 

2017, Israel’s election to the Executive Board of the 

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women); 

Whereas, in May 2017, Israel was elected as one of the VicePresidents of the United Nations General Assembly; 

Whereas robust bilateral ties with Israel maximize security, 

economic, and cultural benefits in the region, increase regional stability, and build confidence with respect to 

peace negotiations; 

Whereas Israel maintains diplomatic relations with 158 nations and retains 79 resident embassies, 22 consulates 

general, and 6 special missions globally; 

Whereas Israel maintains free trade agreements with the 

United States, members of the European Union, members of the European Free Trade Association, Canada, 

Turkey, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Slovakia, 

Poland, Hungary, Mexico, Romania, Bulgaria, and Jordan; 


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•SRES 502 IS 

Whereas, in 1989, the United States Government designated 

Israel as a major non-NATO ally; 

Whereas, in 2014, the United States Government designated 

Israel as a ‘‘major strategic partner’’; 

Whereas the United States and Israel have signed three 10- 

year memoranda of understanding, in which the United 

States committed to provide $26,700,000,000 between 

fiscal year 1999 and fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000,000 

between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2018, and 

$38,000,000,000 between fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 

2028; 

Whereas Congress has appropriated amounts in accordance 

with such memoranda of understanding, reflecting the 

two countries’ shared priorities in the region and the 

strength of United States support for maintaining 

Israel’s qualitative military edge; and 

Whereas Israel’s involvement as an active member of the 

community of nations benefits both Israel and the United 

States, and allies who share common values and promote 

democratic stability throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) encourages equitable treatment of Israel in 

3 international fora; 

4 (2) urges United Nations member states to sup5 port Israel’s future candidacy for the United Na6 tions Security Council; 

7 (3) encourages the diplomatic recognition of the 

8 state of Israel and robust engagement with Israel 


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•SRES 502 IS 

1 from all United States allies and from governments 

2 across the globe; and 

3 (4) reiterates its support for a negotiated settle4 ment leading to a sustainable two-state solution with 

5 the democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a demili6 tarized, democratic Palestinian state living side-by7 side in peace and security. 

Æ 


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