A.G. Gancarski
While it’s uncertain as to whether or not the United Nations Security Council seeks advice from the Florida House, it’s being provided nonetheless.
Rep. Jason Fischer joined an ever-growing list of sponsors of House Bill 231, a bill filed in January objecting to a 2016 United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.
The Florida House bill demands a repeal or an edit of the U.N. Security Council resolution — an unlikely outcome.
That U.N. resolution proved especially controversial stateside, as the United States abstained from the vote — a move widely seen as one last tweak from the Obama White House to Israeli P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu.
Samantha Power, on behalf of the U.S., asserted that the American abstention was rooted in the resolution being focused too narrowly on settlements, even as she noted President Ronald Reagan‘s assertion that further settlements were not necessary for Israeli security.
Of course, there has been a sea change in American policy toward Israel since last year. Whereas President Obama was committed, however ineffectually, to a two-state solution, President Trump’s position is more or less inchoate.
“I’m looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like … If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I’m happy with the one they like the best,” the American President said Wednesday.
Fischer, not an early sponsor of this Florida House resolution, nonetheless is passionate about this issue.
“With the turmoil in the Middle East,” Fischer said, “I just cannot support blindsiding our most valuable ally in the region. The Israeli government does not deserve to be condemned at the United Nations. Israel should be applauded for maintaining freedom in a region of the world where terrorism and despotism has become the norm.”
“The state of Florida stands with Israel. I stand with Israel,” Fischer added, “and I hope to see the United Nations come to their senses in regards to their policies in relation to Israel. They are a great ally and should be treated as such.”
The House Bill has its first committee stop next Wednesday morning in the Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.
