WASHINGTON, DC — J Street welcomes the introduction of a new House resolution which affirms US support for a two-state solution and warns against possible efforts by the Trump administration to endorse or encourage unilateral Israeli annexations in the West Bank. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Karen Bass (D-CA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
“This resolution sends a clear message that members of Congress do not accept the Netanyahu government’s continued drift toward annexation and permanent occupation in the West Bank,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “Coming just weeks before the Trump administration is expected to release a ‘proposal’ likely to empower the Israeli settlement movement and abandon the two-state solution, this is a vital rejection of the approach taken by Jared Kushner and Ambassador David Friedman.”
H.Res.326 states that “Only the achievement of a two-state solution that enhances stability and security in the Middle East can both ensure the State of Israel’s survival as a secure Jewish and democratic state; and fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own.”
It warns that “A United States proposal that fails to expressly endorse a two-state solution as its objective, that expressly or tacitly encourages unilateral annexation of territory, or is otherwise inconsistent with the broadly held consensus positions for resolving the conflict’s final status issues as reflected in previous United States proposals is likely to put a peaceful end to the conflict further out of reach.”
In meetings on Capitol Hill this week, J Street activists urged Members of Congress to support this important resolution.
Days before Israel’s April 9 elections, Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged if re-elected to commence unilateral annexation of portions of the occupied West Bank. The Trump administration has refused to rebuke the pledge — and has repeatedly indicated that it is not interested in seriously pursuing a viable peace agreement that respects the legitimate needs and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
“With the support of President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu is leading his country down a dangerous path to permanent occupation and endless conflict — and imperiling the shared interests and values at the heart of the US-Israel relationship,” Ben-Ami said. “At a moment like this, lawmakers who care about the future of Israelis and Palestinians need to speak out.”