Gerlach: President Must End Speculation About Sanctions Against Israel

Press Release

As media reports continued to swirl Friday that the White House has held internal discussions about potential sanctions against Israel, U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) called on the President to swiftly and publicly refute any notion that our closest ally in the Middle East would face unilateral punishment.

"Israel is a valued partner and the brightest beacon for democracy and respect for basic human rights in a region ravaged by violence, intolerance and extremism," Gerlach said. "Imposing sanctions against Israel would be a grave mistake. Such an egregious error in judgment would embolden those who want Israel wiped off the map and radical terrorists plotting every day to attack the United States and our Western allies. That's why it's crucial for the President to stop this nonsense. I hope he speaks out immediately and dispels the troubling rumors about sanctioning a key ally."

Media outlets in Israel and Washington have reported that senior White House officials discussed sanctions a few weeks ago in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allowing new housing in East Jerusalem. Israel has made claims on swaths of East Jerusalem captured in the 1967 Six Day War while Palestinians want the territory to be part of a future independent state.

Following Netanyahu's visit to the United States in October, the Administration reportedly said new housing in East Jerusalem would distance Israel from "even its closest allies."

On Friday, several news organizations reported that Administration officials refused to respond to questions about whether sanctions were being considered.

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