Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and his congressional colleagues wrote a letter to Israeli leadership expressing opposition to possible unilateral annexation of the West Bank. Rep. Panetta joined 179 House Democrats, a Majority of the caucus, putting pressure on the Israeli government to halt possible action.
“As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank,” write the members. “Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future.”
The letter was sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and was delivered ahead of an anticipated speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu in which unilateral annexation, or steps towards unilateral annexation, might be announced. Several Israeli Government ministers have been publicly calling for such steps. Prime Minister Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with President Trump and discuss the matter in the White House on September 29th.
“We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory,” the letter continues. “Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel. Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.”
The letter builds on an effort led by House Democrats in 2020 expressing similar concerns over possible Israeli annexation of the West Bank at that time.
“We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords,” the letter concludes. “That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.”
The full letter to Secretary Rubio can be found here and below.
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and Foreign Minister Sa’ar:
As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank. Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future. Unilateral annexation of the West Bank would plunge the region, already reeling from tens of thousands of deaths in the horrific Gaza war, into further chaos and violence.
Hamas’s barbaric October 7 attacks murdered more than a thousand people, including American citizens, and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has the right and obligation, within the requirements of international law, to defend its people and bring every hostage home.
At the same time, longstanding and overwhelmingly bipartisan U.S. policy, as enacted in the bipartisan Israel Relations Normalization Act, supports direct negotiations toward a two-state solution to ensure a future for two peoples living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. We are convinced that unilateral steps by either side, including Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank or Gaza, would move Israelis and Palestinians further away from negotiations and further away from a just, sustainable peace.
We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory. Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel. Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.
We are likewise troubled by statements from ministers within your government contemplating annexation of Gaza or parts of it. Such steps would not only violate international law but exacerbate humanitarian and diplomatic challenges at a moment when broad international support for Israel is at risk.
We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords. That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.
Thank you for your consideration.
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