Warnock, Welch Lead Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration for Stronger Response to Israeli West Bank Annexation Efforts

SenatorWarnock and lawmakers:“U.S. leadership is crucial at this moment. We need tangible steps to back these words with action, if we are to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza and the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict”
Washington, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) led 74 bicameral colleagues in a letter urging the Trump Administration to push back against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Government’s efforts to annex the West Bank, which have accelerated in recent weeks.
“U.S. leadership is crucial at this moment. We need tangible steps to back these words with action, if we are to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza and the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict,”wrote the bicameral group of legislators.
In their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers expressed grave concerns about Israel’s ongoing efforts to undermine the Trump Administration’s stated policies and violate international law by illegally expanding settlements and forcibly displacing Palestinians from their lands. The lawmakers warn that this action may lead to irreparable consequences for the long-term peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Despite the United States’ opposition to annexation, segments of the Israeli government have recently reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. Alongside the Knesset’s preliminary approval of two draft bills to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, that body is also considering dozens of other proposed bills which, if enacted, would formalize various forms of annexation,”the lawmakers continued. “Of particular concern are bills that would absorb settlements north, east, and south of Jerusalem to create an expanded municipality under Israeli control.”
“As you, President Trump, and Vice President Vance have said, Israeli efforts to apply sovereignty or annex parts of the West Bank via the Knesset pose a grave risk to peace in the region and should not be pursued,”concluded the group.
In addition to Senators Warnock and Welch, the letter is signed in the Senate by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
Copy of the letter can be foundHEREand below.
“Dear Mr. Secretary,
As you have said, the Government of Israel’s efforts to annex the West Bank undermine prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. President Trump and Vice President Vance have also both made recent statements rejecting such actions. U.S. leadership is crucial at this moment. We need tangible steps to back these words with action, if we are to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza and the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Despite the United States’ opposition to annexation, segments of the Israeli government have recently reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. Alongside the Knesset’s preliminary approval of two draft bills to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, that body is also considering dozens of other proposed bills which, if enacted, would formalize various forms of annexation.
Of particular concern are bills that would absorb settlements north, east, and south of Jerusalem to create an expanded municipality under Israeli control. Combined with the recent approval of the E-1 settlement project directly east of Jerusalem, these proposals would divide the West Bank into northern and southern enclaves, severing the contiguity of Palestinian land and —quite deliberately—undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state.
While this legislation is under consideration, de facto annexation through targeted violence, intimidation of Palestinian communities, and forced displacement is already widespread. Throughout the West Bank, Israeli settlers are driving Palestinians off their land and expanding Israeli settlements, including in:
We strongly urge the State Department to clearly communicate to the Israeli Government the negative consequences that the pending Knesset bills and construction of the E-1 settlements would have on the prospects for peace and security in the region, on the daily lives of Palestinians, and on Israel’s relations with the United States.
We further call for a stronger United States government response against those who commit violence that undermines peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. We urge the Administration to reimpose sanctions under Executive Order 14115 and to condemn the acts of de facto annexation undertaken by Israeli settlers. We have grave concerns about Israel’s ongoing efforts to undermine the Trump Administration’s stated policies and violate international law by illegally expanding settlements, with disastrous consequences for the long-term peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
As you, President Trump, and Vice President Vance have all said, Israeli efforts to apply sovereignty or annex parts of the West Bank via the Knesset pose a grave risk to peace in the region and should not be pursued. We look forward to your response.”
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