Nearly all US Senate Democrats urge Trump to ‘reinforce’ his stance against West Bank annexation

Almost the entire Democratic Senate caucus has signed a letter to US President Donald Trump hailing his pledge to prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank, while urging him to double down on the stance now that a ceasefire has been reached in Gaza.

Trump broke his silence on the issue last month, telling reporters, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen… “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”

The comments took the remaining air out of efforts by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline government and Israel’s influential settler lobby, which saw in Trump a unique opportunity to advance their desire to annex the West Bank.

“We write to express support for your comments opposing any efforts by the government of Israel to annex territory in the West Bank and to urge your administration to promote steps to preserve the viability of a two-state solution and the success of the Abraham Accords,” reads the letter organized by Senator Adam Schiff, which was signed by 45 Democratic caucus members in the Senate.

As the minority party in both houses of Congress, it is highly unlikely that this or any letter organized by Democrats will move the needle in Trump’s decision-making, but expressions of praise for the Republican president from the opposition party are particularly rare these days.

“Since your [20-point] plan for Gaza does not address the West Bank, it is imperative that your administration reinforce your comments and emphasize its opposition to annexation,” the senators add.

“As longstanding supporters of Israel’s security and Palestinian aspirations for statehood, we are unified in our opposition to unilateral measures by either party that undermine the prospect of lasting peace through negotiations to achieve a two-state solution,” the letter continues.

“That includes any steps by Israel to annex territory or expand settlements that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Such steps have elicited deep concern and opposition from Arab partners and place at risk your past achievements under the Abraham Accords and the possibility of expanding them further.”

The lone Democratic caucus member not to sign onto the letter is Senator John Fetterman, a frequent lone wolf in the party on these issues.