Scott, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Fight Antisemitism at the UN

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican colleagues in introducing the No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act to cut off U.S. assistance to entities that give additional rights and privileges to the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

“Time and again, the United Nations has chosen to lend legitimacy to terrorist enablers while demonizing one of our closest friend in Israel,” said Senator Scott. “Not a single cent of the American taxpayer dollar should be used to legitimize antisemitism or embolden our enemies. America will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and root out antisemitism wherever it exists.”

“Once created to be a bastion of peace and security in the world, the United Nations is now a seat of antisemitism and in desperate need of reform. Israel is one of America’s greatest allies and we cannot tolerate or fund any anti-Israel bias or favoritism for the Palestinian Liberation Organization at the UN,” said Senator Risch. “These bills will ensure that America has Israel’s back when it matters most.”

BACKGROUND

Current U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding to organizations, such as the UN, which give the PLO full membership or standing as a member state. The NOPE Act updates the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the PLO “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.” 

The full text of the NOPE Act can be found here.  

Senators Scott and Risch were joined by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

Additional House cosponsors include Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Maria Salazar (R-Fla), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), and Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.). 

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