WASHINGTON – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today delivered a letter to President Joe Biden, voicing his concern for the future of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urging the Biden Administration to make assertive efforts to end the cycle of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians.

Following a recent congressional delegation visit to Israel, during which the senators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sen. Welch expressed his increasing concerns about the current Israeli government’s apparent lack of commitment to advancing the two-state solution and protecting peace and prosperity in the region.

“It is time to acknowledge what is painfully apparent: as far as the Netanyahu government is concerned, the two-state solution is dead,” wrote Sen. Welch. “I am gravely concerned that Mr. Netanyahu’s regime dismisses the long-term security threat his government’s policy of de facto annexation poses to Israel. If this policy continues, our advocacy for the two-state solution is meaningless. Despite increasing obstacles, the two-state solution must be reinvigorated.”

Sen. Welch has long called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, working to protect Palestinian rights and ensuring the continuation of a democratic Jewish Israel. He was an original cosponsor of the Two-State Solution Act.

The congressional delegation trip to Israel was led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and included meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

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