February 16, 2017

Photo by Jeso Carneiro (CC BY-NC 2.0)

During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump turned his back on decades of U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Shrugging nonchalantly, Trump stated: "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I could live with either one."

The press conference provided an insightful glimpse into how President Trump will perform as a broker of peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. He has repeatedly expressed his dreams of reaching "the ultimate deal" which ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But Trump's reckless nomination for U.S. ambassador to Israel, his eagerness to take military action against Iran, and his administration's failure to address the centrality of the Palestinian question - self-determination, right of return, statehood - indicate that success is out of his reach.

Friedman is a Reckless Pick for U.S. Ambassador to Israel

David Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer, is hostile to the notion of Palestinian statehood: "a two-state solution is not a priority..." Supporting settlement expansions, he oversees an organization that raises millions of dollars for radical, West Bank settlers which immediately positions him at odds with decades of U.S. policy opposing settlement expansion. Five former U.S. ambassadors to Israel oppose Friedman's confirmation. Soon, the Senate will vote on the confirmation of David Friedman. We cannot afford to let that happen.

Write to your junior Senator and senior Senator now to ask them to vote NO on the confirmation of David Friedman.

Gearing Up for War with Iran?

Iran was a focal point of the Trump-Netanyahu press conference. Trump has frequently demonstrated his willingness to engage in military combat against Iran. Trump and his team are pushing the U.S. towards a more hostile relationship with the Iranians after the Obama Administration spent years working to cool tensions culminating in the nuclear agreement. War with Iran will continue to destabilize the region, cost millions of taxpayer dollars, and result in the loss of lives. The U.S. has been trapped in Middle Eastern conflict for over a decade. Our government needs to wisen up and avoid making the mistakes made in 2003 and onward.

We Must Address the Palestinian Question

The reality of the situation is that Netanyahu has convinced Trump that Iran is a serious threat to detract from the damages caused by the annexation of the West Bank, the apartheid wall, and the expansion of settlements. He has failed to address the ongoing occupation. While Netanyahu publicly supports a two-state option, his actions do not match his words. He continues to expand settlements in the West Bank. A one-state solution under current conditions will exacerbate the mass suffering of Palestinians already suffering under occupation where Palestinians are treated as second-class citizens.

Netanyahu is setting the agenda and Trump is simply following his lead. Trump remains indifferent as Netanyahu deliberately removes Palestinian centrality from U.S.-Muslim relations. While this policy is likely to lead to anti-Americanism, the White House is operating with a seemingly absent national security apparatus. The situation is likely to worsen unless we take action. David Friedman should not to be confirmed as ambassador.

Write to your junior Senator and senior Senator now to ask them to vote NO on the confirmation of David Friedman.