US Senate Rejects Resolution Seeking Israel Human Rights Probe

Opponents of the measure criticized it as a politically driven move against an ally.

By Shula Rosen

The US Senate on Tuesday voted down a Democratic-led measure seeking a State Department investigation into Israel’s human rights practices, rejecting the resolution 51-47 after increased conflict in Judea and Samaria.

S. Res. 852 would have required the department to produce a comprehensive report within 30 days examining human rights conditions in Judea and Samaria.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led the effort with Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Party affiliation largely determined the outcome. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to support the resolution, while John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to oppose it.

Van Hollen sought the inquiry under Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act, a provision permitting individual lawmakers to request formal assessments of the human rights records of countries receiving US security assistance.

The proposed review also called for an updated investigation into the deaths of nine American citizens killed in Judea and Samaria.

In addition, the State Department would have been required to provide information concerning US citizens and minors detained in Israeli facilities.

Passing the measure would not necessarily have stopped US assistance to Israel.

Restrictions on American military aid could have been legally triggered, however, if the administration failed to produce the requested report within the 30-day deadline.

Backers of the resolution argued that the United States has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that taxpayer money provided abroad is consistent with human rights values.

Republican opponents disputed that rationale, arguing that the measure represented a politically driven effort against an ally at a time when Israel continues to confront threats across the region.