Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, released the following statement in response to the anti-Israel vote held today by the U.N.:

     “The Obama Administration today turned its back on one of our closest allies, the state of Israel. By refusing to veto today's U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements, the President directly contributed to the malicious international campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state. While the U.S. has long acknowledged direct bilateral negotiations as the only path to peace, Obama has opened the door for the U.N. and its chorus of anti-Israel prejudice to invade the process. Sadly, this perilous step is consistent with the Obama Administration's record of making compromises with our enemies and finding fault with our friends. The United States is weaker as a result of these policies and peace is further delayed. President-elect Trump's inauguration cannot come soon enough. I, along with Israel's other true friends in the U.S. Congress, look forward to working with President Trump to reaffirm our unshakeable commitment to Israel's sovereignty and security, and healing the damage done to this critical alliance by President Obama.”

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