Hatch legislation would strip UN funding if it recognizes Palestinian statehood

“If the UN votes to harm our trusted ally … this legislation would require termination of funds to the U.N.,” said Hatch. “[R]ecognition of Palestinian statehood would undermine the peace process and some have questioned its legality.”

Hatch added that such a move would undermine the U.N. as a “good-faith actor.”

Hatch’s bill, called the Solidarity with Israel Act, is designed to “deter the Security Council from recommending Palestine become a new member state” and also to “discourage the General Assembly from upgrading Palestine’s status.”

Hatch argued from the Senate floor that any such recognition would cripple attempts to forge a lasting peace.

“The sole means for creating a lasting enduring peace … is through direct negotiations,” he said.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to address the U.N. General Assembly on Friday and submit his application for statehood recognition to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.