Israel and the United States share common ideals of freedom, democracy and mutual respect for all people.  They are our strongest ally in the Middle East, and no tax dollar should be spent on initiatives that undermine that partnership.

That includes the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  UNESCO has, on multiple occasions, condemned Israel and denied the Jewish ties to the Holy Land by rewriting history.

In 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from UNESCO, citing its anti-Israel bias.  In the process, our nation saved on annual dues of $80 million, and sent a strong message to the world: anti-Semitic behavior will not go unpunished.  President Trump led with peace through strength, and this was no exception.

Enter President Biden.  His approach shows the opposite of strength.  Without addressing any of the issues regarding Israel, he has committed to rejoining UNESCO and committed to paying more than $600 million in back payments and dues.  This is a waste of our tax dollars and once again shows President Biden’s weakness.

America must stand with our ally, Israel.  Any tax dollar funding anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment is a dollar wasted.  As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to demand answers from the Biden Administration on this ridiculous move.