Senate Democrats Urge Donald Trump to Oppose West Bank Annexation by Israel

Senate Democrats Urge Donald Trump to Oppose West Bank Annexation by Israel

Senators press President to reinforce opposition to territorial annexation after Gaza ceasefire plan omits mention of West Bank Israeli parliament voted Wednesday to give preliminary approval of West Bank annexation bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and 45 other Senate Democrats recently urged President Donald Trump to reinforce his stated opposition to the State of Israel's annexation of territory in the West Bank amidst ongoing focus on implementing and sustaining the much-needed ceasefire in Gaza. The Israeli parliament voted Wednesday to give preliminary approval of a bill which, if passed, would annex the West Bank.

President Trump previously expressed his opposition to annexations, saying that he would "not allow Israel to annex the West Bank." The recent ceasefire plan for Gaza omits any mention of the West Bank.

"As longstanding supporters of Israel's security and Palestinian aspirations for statehood, we are unified in our opposition to unilateral measures by either party that undermine the prospect of lasting peace through negotiations to achieve a two-state solution," the Senators wrote in a letter signed by almost the entire Senate Democratic Caucus. "That includes any steps by Israel to annex territory or expand settlements that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state."

"In this moment, it is essential that the United States reject measures that undermine the viability of a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," they continued.

The Senators also reiterate their relief at the long-sought release of Israeli hostages from Gaza and the need for humanitarian aid to surge into Gaza, for the remains of all deceased hostages to be returned to their families, and for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to be sustained.

The letter can be read in full HERE.

The Senators joining Schiff on the letter are Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).