Senate Democrats urged Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intercede in the “surge” of violence in the West Bank on Wednesday, in a letter expressing their concern and opposition.
The letter comes after reports of mass arrests of Palestinians and settler attacks on mosques in recent weeks. Senate Democrats raised concerns that continued settlement, expansion and fighting will harm Israel’s security.
The Democratic Party remains divided, as tensions over the relationship between the U.S. and Israel continue to dominate debates ahead of the midterm election.
“We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” the senators wrote in the letter.
The letter, drafted by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), includes the signatures of 45 of the 47 senators who caucus with the Democrats.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — a longtime critic of Netanyahu’s government — and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), arguably Israel’s most vocal supporter among Senate Democrats, were not among the signers.
Spokespeople for Fetterman and Sanders did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Schiff’s efforts come weeks after the California Democrat told POLITICO he would not swear off future support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the powerful pro-Israel lobby.
However, Schiff sharply criticized Netanyahu, saying it was “heartbreaking” the way he had “so damaged Israel, its standing in the world, and the loss of life as a result.”
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