Progressive Pro-Israel Groups Urge House Leaders to Pass Resolution Opposing West Bank Annexation

June 19, 2019

Ten progressive, pro-Israel organizations today called on House leadership to vote on and pass House Resolution 326, which reaffirms support for the two-state solution and opposes any US actions that would encourage or endorse unilateral Israeli annexations in the West Bank.

Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Hashomer Hatzair, Jewish Labor Committee, J Street, National Council of Jewish Women, New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel, Reconstructing Judaism and T’ruah sent a letter in support of the resolution to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Foreign Affairs Committee leaders of both parties. The legislation was introduced last month by Reps. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Karen Bass (CA-37) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) and is now endorsed by over half of the House Democratic caucus.

The groups’ letter makes clear that the two-state solution is the only way to secure Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people and to fulfill the aspirations of the Palestinian people. It stresses that “Consideration by the House of Representatives of this important legislation is an urgent matter. The Trump administration has made clear its openness to Israeli annexation and opposition to a two-state solution.” The groups note that US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman recently indicated openness to unilateral Israeli annexations in an interview with The New York Times, and that White House officials pointedly refuse to express support for the two-state solution, contravening longstanding bipartisan policy.

As part of a Day of Action against the threat of annexation, supporters of these groups today also called on their Senators to support similar legislation introduced this month by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and seven of his colleagues. At a time when the Trump administration is encouraging the far-right Netanyahu government as it pursues a path of deepening occupation and permanent conflict, strong pushback from Congress is vitally important.

TELL CONGRESS TO DRAW A RED LINE AGAINST WEST BANK ANNEXATION | ADD YOUR NAME