In the wake of the Palestinian Authority's call for Israel's expulsion from the United Nations, Texas Senator Ted Cruz has voiced his belief that former President Donald Trump, if reelected, would withdraw the United States from the international organization.
This assertion comes as tensions between Israel and Palestine escalate, following a deadly armed incursion by Hamas into southern Israel in October 2023.
According to Newsweek, the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, announced last month at the U.N. General Assembly their intention to submit documents aimed at revoking Israel's U.N. membership. This move is a response to Israel's refusal to accept a two-state solution, a long-standing point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The conflict has seen a resurgence after Hamas launched an armed incursion from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 42,600 since the conflict reignited.
In response to these developments, Senator Cruz has argued for a complete U.S. withdrawal from the U.N. should Israel be removed. "I believe Trump would pull us out of the U.N., and I think if the U.N. understands those are the real consequences, they won't throw Israel out," Cruz stated on his podcast. He also criticized the Biden-Harris administration for their perceived inaction, stating, "The Palestinian Authority is pushing an effort in the U.N. to expel Israel from the General Assembly; it is in many ways unsurprising, but what sadly is also unsurprising is that the Biden-Harris administration is doing little to nothing to fight it."
Cruz further emphasized that if Israel's expulsion occurs, the U.S. should halt all funding to the U.N., a move that reflects his conservative stance on limited government and individual freedom. He also accused the international organization of being "fundamentally corrupt" and riddled with "antisemites."
In a letter circulated among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Cruz criticized the U.N.'s treatment of Israel and warned of a severe U.S. reaction if the Palestinian Authority successfully suspends or expels Israel from the U.N. He outlined the potential consequences of such an action, particularly for America's relationships with the U.N. and the Palestinians.
"The effort to diplomatically isolate Israel is aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state, which is both obscene and antithetical to American national security interests," Cruz wrote. He added that if Israel is suspended, the U.S. would limit its participation and funding across the U.N., including its programs, funds, and other entities and bodies.
Cruz also referenced Reagan-era policies, expressing his agreement with President Ronald Reagan's 1984 statement that "if Israel is ever forced to walk out of the U.N., the United States and Israel will walk out together." This sentiment underscores the close alliance between the U.S. and Israel within the U.N. since its inception.
In his podcast, Cruz criticized former President Barack Obama for his perceived anti-Israeli stance, particularly in relation to a 2016 U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a halt to all Israeli settlement construction in the Palestinian territories. The Obama administration abstained from voting, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the international community awaits the U.N.'s response to the Palestinian Authority's call for Israel's suspension, Cruz's comments reflect the potential for significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy and international relations. The outcome of this situation could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.N.'s role in global governance, and the U.S.'s position within the international community.
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