Washington鈥檚 UN nominee supports Israeli biblical claim to West Bank

US Representative Elise Stefanik, Republican from New York, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on her nomination to be Ambassador to the United Nations, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 21, 2025. (AFP)
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  • 鈥業t鈥檚 going to be very difficult to achieve peace if you continue to hold the view that you just expressed,鈥� senator tells Elise Stefanik
  • Republican congresswoman for New York accuses international body of being 鈥榗esspool of antisemitism鈥�

LONDON: The new US nominee for UN ambassador has backed Israeli biblical claims to the entire West Bank.

Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman for New York, was being questioned on her stance by Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen during a Senate confirmation hearing.

鈥淵ou told me that, yes, you shared that view,鈥� Van Hollen said. 鈥淚s that your view today?鈥� Stefanik said: 鈥淵es.鈥�

Her stance is at odds with international law, multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and a longstanding international consensus on the issue.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be very difficult to achieve peace if you continue to hold the view that you just expressed,鈥� Van Hollen said.

During the hearing, Stefanik criticized the UN for its alleged anti-Israel bias, claiming that the organization is a 鈥渃esspool of antisemitism.鈥�

She said: 鈥淥ur tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption or terrorism.鈥�

The US is the largest funder of the UN and houses its secretariat in New York City. Washington pays about 22 percent of the UN鈥檚 regular budget.