Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (who was born in Cuba) remains one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Congress. She has my utmost respect.

WASHINGTON — A leading Republican congresswoman will soon introduce legislation that would withhold US contributions to any UN entity that recognizes a Palestinian state or upgrades the status of the PLO observer mission.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, plans to include the measure in a comprehensive bill to reform the UN she is expected to file in the coming weeks, according to Capitol Hill aides.

The language dealing with the Palestinians would seek to make it US policy to “oppose efforts by the Palestinian leadership to evade a negotiated settlement with Israel and undermine opportunities for peace by seeking de facto recognition of a Palestinian state by the UN,” according to her office.

To give that policy teeth, the legislation would require the US to withhold funding for any UN body that granted such recognition, either through passing a UN resolution or through granting membership to “Palestine” in participating agencies.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to go to the UN in September for recognition of a unilateral declaration of statehood. Though the US is expected to veto any such recognition at the UN Security Council — the body which would give the declaration the force of law — the General Assembly is widely expected to approve a symbolic declaration.