Republican Slams "Anti-Israel" UN Statement

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehitnen (R-Fla.) blasted the Obama administration Thursday over reports that the U.S. may sign a Lebanese-sponsored UN Security Council statement criticizing Israel for its continued settlements in East Jerusalem and other areas.

“Support for this anti-Israel statement is a major concession to enemies of the Jewish State and other free democracies,” said Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “It telegraphs that the U.S. can be bullied into abandoning critical democratic allies and core U.S. principles.”

The Florida lawmaker’s remarks follow those made by potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, who accused Obama of abandoning a strong ally in Israel.

“The Obama administration has shown an astonishing unwillingness to stand by Israel at the United Nations, an organization with a long history of blaming Israel for just about every problem in the Middle East,” Pawlenty said. “It’s time for our UN ambassador to finally show some leadership, draw a line in the sand, and defend our historic ally.”

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