Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), author of the 2004 legislative amendment that created the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism and member of the steering committee of the Interparliamentary Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement in response to the postponed anti-Israel resolution put before the UN Security Council:

     “Although Egypt postponed today’s planned vote in the United Nations Security Council on its resolution condemning Israeli settlements, the threat to the peace process from such one-sided initiatives cannot be ignored. Our close ally Israel exists in a hostile region and routinely faces reckless international initiatives such as this one that undermine the prospects for bilateral peace negotiations. As Israel’s most steadfast friend, the United States must diligently reject and veto these efforts. Ensuring the failure of such resolutions means improving the chances for peace through direct, bilateral talks—the only path to a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

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