US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power. (AP/Cliff Owen) (AP/Cliff Owen)
Samantha Power
Ed Royce

Congressman Ed Royce. (AP/Carolyn Kaster)

American Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said that the US defends Israel “day in and day out,” but she did not out rule support for resolutions imposing a two-state solution.

US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said that the US is fighting to defend Israel at the UN.

Power addressed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday in which she discussed statements made by Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the committee, regarding what he termed the “UN’s continuing anti-Israel bias,” especially in the organization’s human rights council (UNHRC).

“More disturbing is that the Obama administration seems on the brink of discarding decades of bipartisan support of Israel against the UN onslaught,” Royce asserted.

After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a Palestinian state would not be established under his watch, ahead of the recent Israeli national election, Obama said he would reassess US policy toward Israel. Netanyahu has since clarified his statement, explaining that he is committed to a Palestinian state under certain conditions, taking into account Israel’s security.

Power defended the US administration, saying that “day in and day out, we push back against efforts to delegitimize Israel at the UN and fight for its right to be treated like any other nation.”

Asked specifically if the US would veto any UN resolution that forces a two-state solution on Israel, Power said it was “perilous to make blanket statements” about hypothetical scenarios, but that the US would oppose any resolution that undermined Israeli security.

A Change in US Policy?

Obama

US President Barack Obama. (AP/Carolyn Kaster)

In April, Power’s remarks were sharper when she told Congress the Obama administration could propose anti-Israel resolutions at the UN. Speaking to the foreign operations subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, she said that the US will continue to support Israel “when it matters.”

Power did not rule out the possibility that the US will advance anti-Israel resolutions at the UN, saying, “We will look to see what will advance Israel’s security and what will advance peace in the region.”

“Our objective as an administration is what can we do to defuse tensions, what will it take to get those negotiations back on track,” she added

Power tried to reassure members of Congress supportive of Israel, saying, “We will continue to work extremely closely with Israel in New York. As you know well, we have a record of standing when it matters with Israel.”

By: AP and United with Israel Staff

Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!

Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!

Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.

Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!

STAND WTH ISRAEL - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!