South Florida Sun-Sentinel Op-Ed: Anti-Israel bias has no place at the UN
Israel is our longest, strongest, and truest ally in the Middle East. The relationship between our countries is unwavering and rooted in deep-seated ties and shared interests. It is therefore critical that the UN and member countries shed themselves of their pervasive anti-Israel biases, which poison the credibility of the institution and are counterproductive to the goal of peace.
This is why I joined the Congressional Task Force on Israel at the United Nations, chaired by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. The Task Force aims to improve voting patterns at the UN and challenge the anti-Israel status quo through a targeted strategy of reaching out to friendly counties with a poor voting record on issues related to Israel.
For nearly two years, this bipartisan group of Congress has corresponded with 45 foreign governments and their ambassadors in Washington, D.C., informing them of their voting record at the UN on all Israel-related matters and urging these nations to no longer take anti-Israel votes within this international body.
Last year, I voted in favor of H.R. 867 calling on President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to oppose any endorsement or further consideration of the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict," also known as the Goldstone Report. I was one of the first members of Congress to co-sponsor the resolution, which had over 200 co-sponsors.
The Goldstone Report fails to note that Israel, in pursuing peace, disengaged from the Gaza Strip entirely, removing Jewish residents from this land in some instances by force. This process — televised to the whole world in plain view — was deeply traumatizing for Israelis, yet Israel voluntarily withdrew nonetheless.
The response to this courageous action was nonstop, indiscriminate and lethal rocket attacks by Gaza militants on southern Israeli cities, specifically on Sderot. We cannot also forget that Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit remains in captivity in Gaza after being abducted well over three years ago by a militant Hamas terrorist cell that crossed into Israel and captured him. This is the critical background that framed the conflict in Gaza last year and was omitted from the Goldstone Report.
We all know of the serious challenges Israel faces at the United Nations. The anti-Israel bias at this world body poses a very real obstacle to Israel and members of the peace-supporting international community.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek represents Florida's 17th congressional district.