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We urge the United States to condemn violence on all sides and to provide assistance that can prevent, de-escalate, and resolve the long-standing conflicts that affect the security and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Where are we now?

In 2016, the U.S. government committed $38 billion in military aid to Israel over the course of 10 years. That is the largest U.S. military aid package in history. This aid has entrenched Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza — which the U.S. officially opposes — and made progress on long-term, sustainable solutions more difficult.

Opportunities for change

The United States government should contribute ample funding to sustain the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) programming, which provides basic health and education services for 5.6 million Palestinian refugees living in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA continues to suffer shortfalls in funding and urgently needs contributions to continue its life-saving work. Without UNRWA, millions of Palestinians would face food and water insecurity and go without basic healthcare and emergency services.

The United States must remain committed to long term peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The United States should also use its influence with the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza, including restrictions that prevent Gazans from accessing clean water. Israel needs to increase the amount of water and electricity it sells to Gaza, and allow the region to rebuild its water and sewage infrastructure. The U.S. government should support a new international Agreement on Movement and Access for Gaza to ensure accountability, transparency, human security, and the free flow of people and goods in and out of Gaza. These immediate steps would avert a widening humanitarian catastrophe and prevent the violence that could accompany a continuation of the blockade.

Additionally, the United States should prohibit U.S. military aid to Israel from being used for annexation of the West Bank. The prospect of unilateral annexation of the West Bank places the vision of a lawful, diplomatic, and equitable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under unprecedented threat. Such a step would not only contravene international law and decades of established U.S. policy, but also overturn the basic premise that both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to self-determination and security in their own homelands.

Finally, the United States must oppose the displacement of Palestinians and ensure that U.S. equipment is not used for any demolition activity. As Israel expands its settlements, the land available for a future Palestinian state diminishes. Settlements are illegal under international law, and U.S. presidents since 1967 have opposed them. Yet some in Congress want to treat settlements as part of Israel, implicitly recognizing their legitimacy. The United States must reiterate its opposition to settlements and other actions that impede sovereignty for Israelis and Palestinians.

These actions would help put an end to hostilities and promote a long-term and sustainable peace. Israelis and Palestinians alike must be heard at the negotiating table, and the United States should ensure that support for Israel does not equate to hostility toward Palestinians.