12.23.16

McConnell Statement on United States Action at United Nations Security Council Meeting

‘It is highly regrettable that one of President Obama's last actions in office was again to abandon our ally Israel.’

LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the United States abstention at today’s United Nations Security Council vote to condemn Israeli Settlements:

“Today the United States carried the responsibility to veto any resolution before the United Nations that sought to isolate Israel within the international community, or to illogically destroy any semblance of a peace process by encouraging the Palestinians to forego direct negotiations.  

“The past eight years of the Obama administration have been replete with actions that have abandoned our allies and turned away from our commitments. Today's decision taken by the President to abstain from this vote--to fail to act on behalf of an ally represents a failure of leadership and judgment. It is highly regrettable that one of President Obama's last actions in office was again to abandon our ally Israel.  In the weeks ahead I am committed to working with the new administration and my colleagues in Congress to reassure our ally Israel that America's commitment to the two state solution--achieved in a manner which protects Israel's vital national security interest--is unswerving.”

Related Issues: Israel