{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-45-senate-democrats-urge-president-trump-to-reinforce-opposition-to-west-bank-annexation/", "Gillibrand, 45 Senate Democrats Urge President Trump To Reinforce Opposition To West Bank Annexation", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "gillibrand", "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Senators press President Trump to reinforce opposition to territorial annexation after Gaza ceasefire plan omits mention of West Bank\n\nToday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 45 other Senate Democrats urged President Donald Trump to reinforce his stated opposition to the State of Israel\u2019s annexation of territory in the West Bank amidst ongoing focus on implementing and sustaining the much-needed ceasefire in Gaza.\n\nPresident Trump previously expressed his opposition to annexations, saying that he would \u201cnot allow Israel to annex the West Bank.\u201d The recent ceasefire plan for Gaza omits any mention of the West Bank.\n\n\u201cIn this moment, it is essential that the United States reject measures that undermine the viability of a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,\u201d the senators wrote in a letter signed by almost the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.\n\n\u201cAs longstanding supporters of Israel\u2019s security and Palestinian aspirations for statehood, we are unified in our opposition to unilateral measures by either party that undermine the prospect of lasting peace through negotiations to achieve a two-state solution. That includes any steps by Israel to annex territory or expand settlements that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.\u201d\n\nThe senators also reiterated their relief at the long-sought release of Israeli hostages from Gaza and the need for humanitarian aid to surge into Gaza, for the remains of all deceased hostages to be returned to their families, and for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to be sustained.\n\nThe senators joining Gillibrand in signing the letter are Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear President Trump:\n\nWe write to express support for your comments opposing any efforts by the Government of Israel to annex territory in the West Bank and to urge your Administration to promote steps to preserve the viability of a two-state solution and the success of the Abraham Accords.\n\nSince your plan for Gaza does not address the West Bank, it is imperative that your Administration reinforce your comments and emphasize its opposition to annexation. As longstanding supporters of Israel\u2019s security and Palestinian aspirations for statehood, we are unified in our opposition to unilateral measures by either party that undermine the prospect of lasting peace through negotiations to achieve a two-state solution. That includes any steps by Israel to annex territory or expand settlements that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Such steps have elicited deep concern and opposition from Arab partners and place at risk your past achievements under the Abraham Accords and the possibility of expanding them further. At the same time, terrorism, including the horrific terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, must be uniformly condemned and will not bring the region closer to peace.\n\nWe are relieved that the hostages have been released, and it is vital that humanitarian aid surge into Gaza; the remains of deceased hostages, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, be returned to their families; and that the ceasefire be sustained. In this moment, it is essential that the United States reject measures that undermine the viability of a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-45-senate-democrats-urge-president-trump-to-reinforce-opposition-to-west-bank-annexation/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2769799213856459, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}