The United States needs a fundamental reset of its approach to the Middle East, one that redefines the U.S.-Israel relationship and reorients American policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader region. American policy should reflect U.S. interests in a secure, stable, and prosperous Middle East that no longer draws the U.S. into costly wars. This future is only possible if all Israelis and Palestinians can live in freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. America must prioritize the twin goals of Palestinian statehood living alongside a Jewish, democratic Israel with freedom and equal rights for all citizens of both countries. And it must put forward a clear choice to Israel: moving toward a 23-state solution with Israel at peace with all of its neighbors, including the State of Palestine, or a much more limited U.S.-Israel relationship.
Rapidly and responsibly phase out direct U.S. financial subsidies for Israeli weapons. Pause delivery of offensive weapons until it is confirmed that Israel is no longer violating U.S. laws and values, including allowing the free flow of aid and recovery materials to Gaza. Evaluate arms sales on a case-by-case basis according to U.S. interests and Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and elsewhere, while continuing to ensure Israel is able to obtain Iron Dome and other exclusively defensive systems. Link implementation of any new significant U.S.-Israel defense and technology cooperation programs to Israeli cooperation on U.S. policy goals in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon, including MOUs or other agreements signed by the Trump Administration.
The United States must help the Palestinians establish a government that enjoys legitimacy among its own people. This begins with recognizing Palestinian statehood, which would confer political legitimacy, strengthen Palestine’s ability to pursue its interests through international institutions, and help overcome U.S. legal barriers to normal diplomatic relations. Washington should press for free and fair Palestinian elections, requiring all participating parties and candidates to renounce violence, while advancing a Gaza plan that includes the phased disarmament of Hamas. It must also press Israel to stop undermining Palestinian statehood by demanding the release of billions in withheld Palestinian tax revenues under threat of U.S. economic penalties. Finally, the United States should repeal remaining legal restrictions on U.S.-Palestinian relations and work with the Palestinian Authority and international partners to strengthen Palestinian institutions and combat corruption.
America should make the choice clear to the Israeli people: a comprehensive, regional agreement in which Israel has a secure and prosperous future inside its own borders alongside a Palestinian state and full acceptance by its neighbors – or continued occupation, conflict, and growing isolation, including from the United States. It must also be clear to all in the region that the United States will pursue a new Middle East strategy that emphasizes diplomatic and economic tools and that while the U.S. is not militarily abandoning the region, it will no longer serve as a backstop for regional security.
Use targeted economic sanctions and other economic pressure tools to prevent and punish settler violence and to deter and reverse settlement construction and other steps towards de facto annexation. Israeli individuals, businesses, and government officials should have to choose between living in, doing business in, and subsidizing settlements and remaining fully connected to the U.S., Europe, and the rest of the international economic and financial system.
Work with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to press Hamas – a terrorist organization – and Israel to agree to a plan for Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and the gradual introduction of Palestinian Authority security forces and governance institutions that have legitimacy with the local population, bringing an end to Hamas’s repressive rule in Gaza. Work with Gulf states and the international community to invest in and help reconstruct Gaza, starting with an immediate surge in early recovery and humanitarian assistance. Phase out the Board of Peace and impose real consequences on both Hamas and Israel for failure to cooperate.
Terminate the destructive war of choice with Iran. Work with Gulf states to pursue an agreement with Iran that ensures the reliable, free flow of energy and goods through the Strait of Hormuz while building resilient alternatives that bypass the chokepoint and pursuing energy policies that reduce dependence on oil. Seek verifiable restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Encourage regional efforts to engage Iran and de-escalate tensions. Deter and contain the destabilizing regional activities of Iran’s proxies. Make clear the U.S. will not support offensive Israeli military action against Iran unless there is a clear and imminent threat.
Vote in favor of resolutions that are consistent with U.S. policy, values, and interests, even when they are critical of Israel. Vote against actions at the United Nations that unfairly single out Israel. Remove U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court, allowing it and the International Court of Justice to pursue their work.
Support a comprehensive national strategy against antisemitism to protect and support American Jews. Speak out forcefully against antisemitic rhetoric and actions from the right and the left. Oppose efforts to label legitimate criticism of Israel as antisemitism or to use antisemitism as a justification for attacks on free speech, universities, or immigrants. Recognize that a critical component of fighting antisemitism is to stand up for universal values against hate and discrimination and work in coalition with other minority groups, including working together with the Muslim community to combat Islamophobia as well as with the Black community to counter racism.