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WASHINGTON – The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved the 2022 state and foreign operations budget bill, including $ 3.3 billion in U.S. security assistance to Israel, as agreed in the protocol 2016 agreement.
The committee also approved $ 50 million under the Economic Support Fund for the Nita M. Lowey Law on Partnership for Peace in the Middle East, “to continue interpersonal programming and joint economic partnerships between Israelis and Palestinians.”
An additional $ 2 million. would help USAID-Israel international development cooperation “to support local solutions to address sustainability challenges related to water resources, agriculture and energy storage.”
The bill also restores funds for the United Nations Human Rights Council, “unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriation committees that participation in the council is not in the best interests. national government and that the board is not taking significant action. steps to remove Israel as a standing agenda item nor to take steps to ensure integrity in the election of members of such a council, as outlined in the reports in this section.
“The committee notes with disappointment the accession to the UNHRC of countries with a poor human rights record, and therefore urges the Secretary of State and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to exercise the renewed influence of the United States in the Council to pressure countries to defend human rights, respect the rule of law and treat their citizens with dignity, â€reads the accompanying report . “The committee is also concerned about the continued and disproportionate focus of the UNHRC on Israel and its anti-Israel bias. “
The bill directs the Secretary of State “to submit an annual report to the Appropriations Committees describing instances of anti-Israel bias at the United Nations, including an identification of agencies and entities where such bias has been demonstrated in the United Nations. the past “.
The committee also noted that it was “concerned about international efforts to stigmatize and isolate Israel through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.”
“Committee requests, as part of the annual report to Congress on the boycott of the Arab League of Israel, that the president add information on the BDS campaign, covering businesses, international organizations, countries and other organizations , including state investment vehicles, which are involved in promoting the movement, as well as specific actions the State Department has taken and expects to take to deter or end politically motivated efforts to boycott, disinvest or sanction Israel or Israeli entities, â€the report reads.
“The committee also heads the Secretary of State and [the] The USAID administrator should strengthen policies and procedures to ensure that organizations supported by the funding do not participate in such efforts.
The report also “reaffirms long-standing bipartisan support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and notes that a negotiated two-state solution is essential to achieve the goal of a democratic Jewish state of Israel and of a democratic Jewish state of Israel. Palestinian state living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition.
“The committee remains concerned about the lack of direct negotiations and urges both sides to refrain from engaging in unilateral action that jeopardizes the chances of dialogue and a return to the negotiating table, or the eventual achievement of ‘a two-state solution,’ we read. “This includes inciting Palestinian violence and pursuing state recognition and membership in international organizations instead of reaching a two-state solution through negotiations. It also includes Israeli annexation or settlement expansion outside of a negotiated agreement between the two parties. “
The bill would also provide $ 1.6 billion. in aid to Jordan, including $ 1.2 billion. under the Economic Support Fund and $ 425 million. under the Foreign Military Funding Program.
“The committee notes the importance of relations with the Kingdom of Jordan and the strong leadership that Jordan continues to play in advancing peace and stability in the region,†the accompanying report said.
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