18 Senate Democrats, led by Senator Chris Van Hallen (Maryland), Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut State), and Senator Tim Caen (Virginia) Thursday, May 21, 2020, expressed deep concern Regarding the unilateral annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories, starting next July.
In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "Defense" Minister Benny Gantz, the 18 senators warned that such a move would represent a dramatic setback to decades of mutual understandings between the United States, Israel, the Palestinians and the international community, "and would affect the future of Israel, thereby exposing its security" Its democracy is at risk. "
"A deep commitment to Israel´s security and a shared set of democratic values ​​are essential components of the close relationship between our two countries. Therefore, we are concerned that unilateral annexation endangers Israel´s security and democracy. The annexation would contradict our shared democratic values ​​by denying the Palestinians the right to self-determination in "A viable, sovereign, independent and connected state. This could lead to an end to Palestinian security cooperation with Israel, directly threatening the security of the Israeli people, and endangering the decisive Israeli peace agreement with Jordan."
They concluded: "We, as friends and supporters of Israel, warn you against taking unilateral steps that would bestow our unique ties, jeopardize Israel´s future, and put the prospects for lasting peace within reach. If you move forward in unilateral annexation, we will not support this procedure".
"This is consistent with old US policy, which opposes unilateral actions by any party in a conflict category. The pursuit of a viable two-state solution is essential to ensuring our shared democratic values ​​and lasting bipartisan support for Israel in Congress," the letter added.
He joined Van Hullen, Murphy, Kane Brian Chats (Hawaii State), Patrick Leahy (Vermont State), Dick Durban (Illinois State), Sherwood Brown (Ohio State), Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), and Tom Yudal (New State) Mexico), Jeff Merckley (Oregon State), Ed Markey (Massachusetts), Martin Heinrich (other Senator from New Mexico), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Senator Jane Shaheen (New Hampshire), Senator Tammy Duckworth (other Senator from State Illinois) and Tom Carper (from Delaware), Senator Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), and Senator Bernie Sanders (from Vermont).
There are 45 Democrats in the Senate, 16 of whom signed the letter, two independents, both of whom signed the letter, and 53 Republicans, President Trump´s party, none of whom signed the letter.
The Israeli lobby organization, the "American Israel Public Relations Committee - AIPAC", which has a major impact in the US Congress, has failed both the deputies and the elderly to dissuade the members who signed the letter from retracting it.
