Days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, nearly half the Senate is poised to go on record backing a two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians as the only viable option for Israel’s peace, security and future as a Jewish democracy.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, on Wednesday told reporters the amendment he plans to file to the national security emergency supplemental spending bill has already drawn 48 co-sponsors and more are possible. Bipartisan negotiations on the broader measure still need to hash out the details of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and for domestic border security.
The Schatz amendment would reaffirm longstanding U.S. policy of supporting a “negotiated comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition,” according to the text.
