Kennedy, Rubio issue statement in response to Palestinian delegation’s anti-Israel proposal at U.N. General Assembly

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and colleagues in releasing the following statement on the Palestinian Authority's (PA) proposal of an anti-Israel resolution at the U.N. General Assembly.

The PA's resolution calls for the end of Israel's presence in the West Bank, for sanctions against Israeli officials and for blocking arms transfers to Israel. The General Assembly has not passed a resolution condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 attacks.

"This proposal introduced by the Palestinian delegation, ahead of the United Nations' General Assembly, is an absolute disgrace that rewards terrorism. It is a clear insult to the Jewish people and anyone who understands history.

"As we approach the one-year anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian terrorist groups against innocent Israeli civilians, which involved murder, mutilation, and sexual violence, the international community must unequivocally unite against this evil, one-sided effort to delegitimize Israel. Instead of proposing biased and counter-productive initiatives, which will do nothing to advance a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the international community must focus its energy and resources on ensuring Hamas and other terrorist groups are completely destroyed. We must remain firm to ensure every single hostage held by these terrorists is safely returned to their loved ones."

Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.),Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) also joined the statement.