Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United State Senate, issued the following statement after the United States abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote on Israeli settlements:
“Once again, President Obama has jeopardized Israel’s security. Today’s vote of abstention was tantamount to a vote in favor of this one-sided, anti-Israel resolution, and cements the President’s legacy of withholding support from our most steadfast ally in the Middle East. This action follows in a long line of diplomatic missteps reaffirming the sad fact that in eight years, President Obama has never had a well-reasoned, comprehensive strategy for one of the world’s most volatile regions. I am deeply disappointed with the President’s lack of leadership and resolve as highlighted by today’s impulsive action.”
Throughout his entire term of service, Senator Hatch has fought to both highlight and strengthen our important relationship with Israel. Earlier this year as Senate President Pro Tempore, he traveled to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and a number of Israeli officials to discuss issues of mutual concern, including national security, terrorism, religious liberty, and LDS-Jewish relations. And when Prime Minister Netanyahu visited in March to speak to a joint session of Congress, Hatch sat behind him in the seat of the Vice President. He also wrote an op-ed in the Washington Times urging the Obama administration to stand with Israel.
