U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is taking aim at organizations that fund the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) with legislation to limit U.S. assistance to entities such as the United Nations (UN) that “give additional rights and privileges” to the PLO.
The No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act would deny U.S. assistance to any organization that offers any recognition to the PLO outside of observer status.
Full rights and privileges typically mean that a state is a member of an organization and has all the associated rights, such as voting, decision-making, and proposing resolutions. Observer status allows entities to participate in an organization's activities with limited rights, usually without the right to vote or propose resolutions.
Current law prohibits U.S. aid to any organization that gives the PLO full membership or any standing as a member state. The NOPE Act would update the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the PLO any rights outside of observer status.
The UN has never granted the PLO full rights and privileges. The UN General Assembly has recognized the PLO since 1974, when it granted the organization observer status. It also recognized the PLO officially as “Palestine” in 1988. Since 2012, the UN has recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a non-member observer state.
“There has been a troubling pattern of anti-Israel sentiment across the UN and its affiliated bodies that has undoubtedly undermined their credibility,” Britt said. “Given the disturbing rise in antisemitism at home and across the globe, I believe it is incumbent upon Congress to continue sending a resounding message that the United States denounces this hateful discrimination. Proud to join my colleagues in the NOPE Act to stand with our ally, Israel, and her people.”
Britt is joined in the effort by U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), suggesting the UN displays “bias or favoritism” toward the PLO.
“Once created to be a bastion of peace and security in the world, the United Nations is now a seat of antisemitism and in desperate need of reform,” Risch said. “Israel is one of America’s greatest allies and we cannot tolerate or fund any anti-Israel bias or favoritism for the Palestinian Liberation Organization at the UN. These bills will ensure that America has Israel’s back when it matters most.”
Britt also recently joined Risch in reintroducing the Stand with Israel Act, which would prohibit the United States from funding UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict the participation of Israel.
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