By seeming to endorse unilateral Israeli annexations of Palestinian territory in the West Bank, the Trump administration is encouraging indefinite occupation and permanent conflict which will imperil Israeli democracy and trample on Palestinian rights. Recently-introduced anti-annexation legislation gives the Senate a chance to push back.
The Trump administration is continuing to actively encourage the worst impulses of the Israeli far-right.
In his April election campaign, Prime Minister Netanyahu made an unprecedented pledge to begin annexing West Bank settlements in his next term. Despite international outcry following the annexation pledge, this month Ambassador David Friedman told the New York Times that the Israeli government had the “right” to annex parts of the West Bank.
This puts the Trump administration on record encouraging a course of action that violates international law, tramples on Palestinian rights and severely endangers Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.
Today, Ameinu is joining with progressive pro-Israel groups including J-Street, Americans for Peace Now, the New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel and T’ruah to call on the Senate to stand up and draw a red line against annexation. Senate Resolution 234 reaffirms America’s commitment to a two-state solution and explicitly condemns annexation.
Join progressive, pro-Israel Americans and ask your senator to take a stand against annexation today!
The new Senate resolution, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) and co-sponsored by leading pro-Israel, pro-peace voices including Elizabeth Warren (MA), Bernie Sanders (VT), Diane Feinstein (CA), Dick Durbin (IL), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Tom Udall (NM) and Tina Smith (MN) will send a powerful message to Trump and Netanyahu.
And it couldn’t come at a more important time: With Netanyahu still desperately fighting to cling to power, and Trump determined to put his thumb on the scales, the risks of new steps which undermine Israeli democracy and deal fresh blows to the prospects for peace have never been higher.
If we can get broad support for the Senate resolution, it will make a strong statement that the United States continues to stand with the majority of Israelis and Palestinians in opposing annexation and supporting the need for a lasting, negotiated peace agreement.
Help us push back against the far-right agenda in the US and Israel. Tell your senator to support S.Res.234 today:
RESOLUTION
Affirming the United States commitment to the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and noting that Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank would undermine peace and Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state.
Whereas longstanding United States policy has recognized that a two-state solution to achieve peace between the Israelis and Palestinians would serve as the best hope for peace and security in the region;
Whereas roadmaps for peace outlined by President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama reflected the bipartisan United States policy promoting a negotiated two-state solution that supports the self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians;
Whereas successive United States administrations of different political parties identified settlement expansion as an impediment to peace;
Whereas Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state has been indispensable to its national identity throughout its history;
Whereas Israel has built and maintained relationships with its Arab neighbors;
Whereas ongoing security coordination between Israelis and Palestinians promotes stability;
Whereas deep United States-Israel cooperation provides significant mutual benefit to the security and prosperity of both countries and strengthens the unbreakable bond between the people of each country; and
Whereas any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must guarantee Israel’s security: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That is the sense of the Senate that—
(1) the policy of the United States should be to preserve conditions conducive to a negotiated two-state solution;
(2) United States efforts to promote peace between the Israelis and Palestinians should explicitly endorse a two-state solution as the goal of any process to resolve the conflict’s core issues;
(3) unilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank would jeopardize prospects for a two-state solution, harm Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, threaten Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity, and undermine Israel’s security; and
(4) a two-state solution is the best hope to preserve Israel’s Jewish and democratic nature while fulfilling the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, creating a foundation for just and durable peace and prosperity.