US Endorsement of West Bank Annexation Would Be Disastrous for Israel’s Future

February 12, 2018

In response to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments that he has discussed with the Trump administration the possible annexation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank “for some time now”, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement:

“The fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu is now openly contemplating annexation of Israeli settlements is beyond dangerous. Such a radical step would be the end of the Jewish people’s effort to establish Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Instead it would create a permanent one-state nightmare of escalating conflict and injustice.”

“US lawmakers and pro-Israel leaders should demand that the White House clarify whether it has held these discussions as the Prime Minister claims and whether it would ever endorse such a disastrous action by the Netanyahu government.”

“It would be completely irresponsible for the Trump administration to contemplate endorsing unilateral annexation in any way. US officials should be strongly warning Israel that such a move would be unacceptable — not holding discussions that could give annexation the green light.”

“Even the president himself, in an interview last weekend with the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, seemed to acknowledge that settlement expansion complicates the peace process and calls into question Israel’s interest in pursuing a peace agreement.”

“Sadly, the Trump administration’s policies to date have — rather than paving a path to the ‘ultimate deal’ — exacerbated the conflict and undermined the prospects for peace and stability in the region.”

Recent statements from J Street