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House Republican Letter Supporting Israeli Decision-Making on West Bank

(June 22, 2020)

Following the release of a letter signed by House Democrats opposing unilateral Israeli annexation (actually the application of Israeli sovereignty) of areas in the West Bank, House Republicans wrote their own letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing support for Israel’s right to make decisions “independent of outside pressure” and the Trump peace plan. The letter was signed by 116 of 198 members, including  House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Republican Conference chair Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).


June 22, 2020

His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
c/o Embassy of Israel
3514 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:

We write to reaffirm the unshakeable alliance between the United States and Israel, to emphasize that Israel has the right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure, and to express our support for you as you make such decisions in your capacity as Israel’s democratically-elected prime minister.

We are aware of and deeply concerned by threats being expressed by some to retaliate against Israel as it makes decisions to ensure defensible borders. It is shortsighted to threaten relations with Israel, a long-time friend and critical ally that shares our democratic values. We support the Trump administration’s engagement with Israel on the Vision for Peace Plan, which was based on the critical premise that Israel should never be forced to compromise its security. We assure you that we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and oppose any effort to apply pressure.

As you know well, the Palestinians have rejected Israel’s bids for peace time and again and have shunned the Trump administration’s efforts to bring peace to the conflict since the administration’s earliest days, even before the President’s vision was unveiled. The Trump administration’s new approach offers the promise of success where past efforts have failed, recognizing Israel’s vital national and security interests while providing for a fair and reasonable compromise with the Palestinians, should Palestinian leadership opt finally to prioritize peace.

It is our hope that this plan brings peace, security, and prosperity to a region that has long endured conflict. As dedicated friends of the Jewish state, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the relationship between our two nations and Israel’s right to sovereignty and defensible borders.