JAYAPAL STATEMENT ON HOUSE VOTE TO REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR TWO-STATE SOLUTION
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 326, which reaffirms the House’s support for a two-state solution that results in a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel. On November 18, Jayapal blasted the Trump Administration after it announced that it would no longer consider Israeli West Bank settlements a violation of international law—a major reversal of longstanding U.S. foreign policy. On November 22, Jayapal joined 105 fellow House Democrats in sending a letter to the State Department rebuking the decision to reverse decades of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“I am outraged to see the Israeli government push forward with racist, xenophobic policies that put a two-state solution further and further out of reach. Through disastrous policies like withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement and sanctioning Israeli settlements in the West Bank, President Trump continues to systematically erode our moral standing and encourage his right-wing allies in Israel to violate the basic human rights of Palestinians. This fundamentally undermines real safety and security for both Israel and Palestine, and also destroys hope for peace in the region,” said Jayapal. “Today’s resolution rightly reaffirms the House’s support for a two-state solution, one that establishes a Palestinian state coexisting side by side with Israel in peace and security and — for the first time in history — condemns Israel’s settlement expansion. It is a critical step in ensuring our foreign policy lives up to our values, so I voted for it. However, I am disappointed that the final text included language that incorporated some last minute changes to weaken the resolution.”
“The resolution did not expressly call for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and did not condemn all types of settlement activity, not just expansion—both of which are the greatest obstacles to peace. I also want to make clear that although last-minute language was added regarding previously signed MOUs on U.S. military aid to Israel, my vote does not tie me at all to providing future aid to Israel should it continue to abuse the human rights of the Palestinians. We must maintain leverage over our assistance to ensure American taxpayer dollars are used in ways that are consistent with our values,” said Jayapal. “Now, more than ever, Congress must show moral clarity and leadership. This resolution is an important restatement of Congress’ support for the two-state solution and peaceful, self-governance by Israelis and Palestinians.”
# # #