Supporting robust relations with the State of Israel bilaterally and in multilateral fora upon seventy years of statehood, and for other purposes.

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 Israels 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 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 201617 of Israels Ambassador as the chair of the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly, and in 2017, Israels 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 Vice-Presidents 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; 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 Israels qualitative military edge; and Whereas Israels 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 That the Senate (1) encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora; (2) urges United Nations member states to support Israels future candidacy for the United Nations Security Council; (3) encourages the diplomatic recognition of the state of Israel and robust engagement with Israel from all United States allies and from governments across the globe; and (4) reiterates its support for a negotiated settlement leading to a sustainable two-state solution with the democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a demilitarized, democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security.

Summary: Encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora.