Title: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate in support of Israel.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Urges: (1) the President and the international community to join in supporting bilateral talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, and (2) the President to adopt a policy of opposing and vetoing if necessary one-sided Security Council resolutions targeting Israel.
Expresses support for individuals and organizations working to bring about peace and cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians. Calls on all parties to return to negotiations without preconditions.
Opposes the use of the United Nations to impose external remedies to challenges between the Israelis and Palestinians. Objects to the December 2016 abstention and declination by the United States to veto U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334. (Such resolution characterizes Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal and demands cessation of settlement activities.)
Declares that the Senate regrets and seeks to reverse the negative public criticism of Israel by U.S. diplomats.
Rejects international efforts to delegitimize Israel's right to exist. Expresses support for Israel's right to self-defense. Condemns acts of terrorism and violence targeted at Israeli civilians. Reiterates that Palestinian political goals will never be achieved through violence.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 5 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 5

        Expressing the sense of the Senate in support of Israel.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   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
    Resolved, 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.
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