Jim Risch

• In October 2024, Risch criticized officials who delayed arms sales, opposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, sought to direct Israel's military operations, or called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be replaced. He argued that those actions damaged the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance and said he would continue supporting Israel.

• In April 2025, Risch introduced the Stand with Israel Act, which would cut off U.S. funding to United Nations agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict Israel's participation. He described Israel as one of America's greatest allies and said America would always stand with Israel.

• In January 2025, Risch defended Israel against International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, stating that the court had exceeded its mandate and improperly equated Israel with Hamas.

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• On April 15, 2026, Risch voted against motions to discharge S.J. Res. 32 and S.J. Res. 138, which would have advanced resolutions blocking proposed military sales to Israel. Both motions failed.

• In August 2025, Risch praised the United Kingdom, France, and Germany for initiating the restoration of United Nations sanctions against Iran. He argued that Iran's nuclear activities required the full return and enforcement of international sanctions.

• In September 2025, Risch led 49 Senate Republicans in urging continued pressure until Iran's nuclear program was permanently and verifiably dismantled, full international inspections were restored, and Iran's uranium-enrichment capability was eliminated.

• Following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, Risch said that Israel was disarming Iran for the good of the world and argued that the action would not become a prolonged war involving American ground forces.

• In 2018, Risch supported U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement, arguing that the deal gave Iran a path to a nuclear weapon and that withdrawal created an opportunity to pursue a more secure outcome.

• On February 28, 2026, Risch supported U.S. strikes on Iran, saying Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and arguing that the regime had continued building its nuclear program despite repeated warnings. At a March 24 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he described Iran as a near-nuclear-capable adversary and said the president's military action was addressing Iranian nuclear capabilities.

• In February 2024, Risch joined a bipartisan Senate letter urging stronger enforcement of sanctions on Iran. The letter stated that Iran had funded, trained, and equipped Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and supported Hezbollah, militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis.

• In November 2024, Risch and Senate colleagues urged federal agencies to freeze the assets of Hamas officials living abroad, seek the extradition of senior Hamas leaders, and press Qatar to end its safe haven for Hamas leadership.

• In February 2025, Risch credited Israel with weakening Iran's network of terrorist proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, and described the network as a longstanding threat surrounding Israel.

• On October 7, 2023, Risch condemned the attacks against Israel as unprovoked attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups. He said Israel faced enduring threats from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah and deserved the United States' unwavering support.

• On the first anniversary of the attack, Risch commemorated the people murdered and the hostages still held in Gaza. He criticized efforts to pressure Israel over arms sales, International Criminal Court sanctions, and the conduct of its military operations.

• In May 2021, Risch introduced a Senate resolution condemning the global rise in antisemitism. The resolution rejected antisemitism in all forms, expressed solidarity with Jewish communities facing elevated risks, called for the appointment of a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, and condemned the BDS movement.

• In October 2024, Risch announced legislation to cut off funding to United Nations agencies that restrict Israel's participation, describing efforts to alter Israel's status at the UN as antisemitic.

• In May 2025, Risch introduced the No Official Palestine Entry Act and described the United Nations as a center of antisemitism that should not receive U.S. funding for anti-Israel bias or expanded privileges for the Palestinian Authority.

• In January 2026, Risch told the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that rising antisemitism worldwide required renewed commitment to protecting religious freedom for Jewish communities as well as other faith groups.

• In March 2023, Risch led a letter to the Department of Education alleging that federal funding was supporting antisemitic activity in higher-education programs. The senators asked how the department would address antisemitism, review federally funded programs, and help Jewish and pro-Israel students feel safe on campus.

• In March 2017, Risch joined all 100 senators in urging the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and FBI to respond to bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers, Jewish day schools, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions. The letter requested coordination with Jewish organizations and information about grants, victim assistance, and other federal resources for security and preparedness.

• Risch's May 2021 antisemitism resolution condemned anti-Jewish violence, rejected antisemitism in all forms, and stood with Jewish communities facing heightened risks arising from extremist views.

• In February 2022, Risch was an original cosponsor of a bipartisan Senate resolution condemning the antisemitic terrorist attack at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.

• In March 2025, Risch and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast warned the United Nations Human Rights Council against creating additional permanent procedures that would single out Israel and threatened sanctions against officials involved in such action.

• In July 2021, Risch introduced the UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act with Representative Chip Roy. The bill would condition U.S. funding on certifications concerning terrorist affiliations, diversion of resources, financial oversight, and antisemitic or anti-Israel educational content.

• Risch has also introduced legislation cutting off U.S. funding to international organizations that restrict Israel's participation and has supported sanctions against International Criminal Court officials involved in actions targeting Israeli leaders.

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