WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), alongside 45 Democratic Senators, is calling upon President Trump to reaffirm his opposition to any Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank. This comes as efforts continue to ensure the recently brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza is upheld.
President Trump has previously made it clear that he is against the annexation of the West Bank, stating he would “not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.” Yet, the ceasefire framework does not reference the West Bank and has raised concerns about the broader implications for long term stability and peace in the region.
“In this moment, it is essential that the United States reject measures that undermine the viability of a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the Senators wrote in a letter signed by almost the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.
The Senators also welcomed the long-awaited release of Israeli hostages from Gaza and reiterate the importance of the remains of deceased hostages to be returned to their families, as well as their hope for the ceasefire to hold and lead to a lasting, long-term peace.
The Senators joining Slotkin on the letter are Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D, Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Adam Schiff (D-C.A), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
The full text of the letter can be found here.
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