Rose Statement on Proposed Unilateral Annexation in West Bank

Statement

Congressman Max Rose issued the following statement on potential unilateral Israeli actions to annex territory in the West Bank:

"I steadfastly support Israel's right to self-defense, and continue to be a strong supporter and believer in the importance of the US-Israel relationship. However, I'm concerned that Israel's proposed unilateral annexation of territories in the West Bank would only take us further from our shared goal of long-lasting peace in the region. The President's plan, and long-standing bipartisan American policy, has made clear that final status arrangements should only come as the result of negotiations between the two parties. I fear unilateral actions by either party will undermine years' worth of efforts to advance peace in the region. I continue to oppose attempts to delegitimize or condition aid to Israel and urge both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to come to the table to secure an equitable future for their people."

Last year, Rose, the first Jewish Member of Congress from Staten Island, who Chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, travelled to Israel as part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to gain firsthand understanding of regional challenges and America's strategic relationship with Israel where he met with senior Israeli and Palestinian leadership.

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