DeSantis vows to cut US funding to UN entities 'targeting Israel' if elected president

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has announced his candidacy in the 2024 presidential race, pledged Monday to cut US funding to UN entities that he said are targeting Israel if elected.

"January 20th, 2025, with respect to our relationship with the United Nations, there will be a new sheriff in town," said DeSantis in his address at the Christians United for Israel Summit in Virginia.

"We are not providing tax dollars to United Nations entities that are targeting Israel," he said.

DeSantis also said he rejects the UN Human Rights Council, which he accused of bringing in "really bad regimes and they attack Israel," and UNESCO, which he said does not recognize the connection of the Jewish people to places like Jerusalem.

"Are you kidding me? So this shamefully targets Israel and it promotes antisemitism. It is wrong and it will come to an end on January 20th of 2025," said DeSantis.

During his remarks, he also reiterated that the West Bank was "not occupied territory" but rather a disputed area.

"Judea and Samaria are not occupied territory. These are some of the most historic lands going back to Biblical times...I understand they're still disputes, but Israel has the strongest claim of a right to Judea and Samaria," said DeSantis.

DeSantis is seen as one of the leading challengers to former President Donald Trump.