A coalition of Democratic senators is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon a planned settlement project in the occupied West Bank, arguing that it would effectively fragment Palestinian territory, according to Anadolu.
In a statement issued Friday and spearheaded by Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, 29 lawmakers criticized Israel’s decision to open bidding for construction in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, The Hill reports.
The Democrats emphasized, “The United States must remain committed to a two‑state solution that delivers lasting peace and security for both the Jewish, democratic State of Israel and for a future Palestinian state. Construction in E1 would take us further away from that goal.”
The project comprises seven residential compounds with a total of 1,234 housing units. Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing opened bidding on August 18, with a deadline of October 19.
The senators warned that the development could further isolate occupied East Jerusalem from Palestinian population centers such as Bethlehem and Ramallah. The E1 project has been stalled for decades amid regional and international opposition.
The lawmakers wrote, “For decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized that development in E1 would seriously jeopardize the prospects for a Palestinian state. That concern remains just as urgent today.”
The statement also referenced a separate letter signed by 44 Democratic senators and independent Senator Angus King calling for action over reported violence by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The Democrats wrote, “We urge the Israeli government to immediately rescind these tenders, halt settlement expansion in the West Bank, and take urgent action to rein in settler violence.”
They also warned that failure to change course risks weakening Israel’s international standing.
