I urge you to sign on to Representatives Pocan and Schakowsky’s letter to Secretary Rubio, urging the Trump Administration to exert diplomatic pressure to prevent settlement construction in E1.
As you may know, construction in the West Bank area known as E-1 would pose an immense challenge to a lasting peace solution between Israel and the Palestinians as it would threaten the territorial contiguity necessary for a viable Palestinian state. These plans have been termed “doomsday settlements” as their implementation would render a two-state solution nearly impossible.
Israel is rapidly advancing the project. In recent months, the Israeli government has approved construction plans, published construction tenders, and is on the verge of accepting bids and exchanging contracts. Construction bids are expected to open on June 1 and close by July 6.
President Trump has repeatedly claimed to oppose Israeli annexation of the West Bank. This letter urges Secretary Rubio to communicate clearly and at the highest levels that the United States views the acceptance of settlement construction bids as a direct contradiction of the President’s stated policy, and to use every tool at his disposal to halt this process before any bids are awarded.
It is vital that the United States weigh in and tell Israel to halt efforts to approve plans to build in E1.
