NEW YORK, NY—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement in support of France and Saudi Arabia’s summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which focused on support for the two-state solution and an end to Israel’s war campaign in Palestine:
“The war in Gaza, triggered by the horrific massacre in Israel by Hamas on October 7th, only continues to escalate. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war campaign has taken the lives of more than 65,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of children. Gaza is in ruins, with 92% of homes destroyed or damaged. Some two million Palestinians are displaced. Children are dying from malnutrition, and thousands need immediate medical care. Diplomacy is critical to put an end to this humanitarian catastrophe, but the United States has failed to step up and use its influence as a world leader,” said Senator Peter Welch. “For decades, Democratic and Republican administrations have held the position that peace will require an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, alongside a secure State of Israel. Yet, the Trump Administration has abandoned the two-state solution, instead choosing to support Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government by providing U.S. taxpayer-funded bombs.”
Senator Welch continued: “It is shameful that this administration denied the visa and credentials of the Palestinian Authority president and around 80 officials in advance of their travels to New York for UNGA, instead requiring President Abbas to address the UN by video. I commend France and Saudi Arabia for choosing diplomacy over disunity, hosting a summit Monday on the importance of the two-state solution. While the Trump Administration has worked against a two-state solution, I stand committed to peace. Now more than ever, we must work together to curb any further escalation of this conflict, end the bombing, surge humanitarian aid, and return the hostages.”
This week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Senator Welch met with Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations. Senator Welch expressed his support for a two-state solution and the important progress made by France and Saudi Arabia to bring peace to Israel and Palestine:
Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, and Senator Peter Welch
France announced on Monday it will formally recognize Palestine as a state, following announcements by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal over the weekend.
Last week, Senator Welch joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and six of their colleagues in calling on President Trump to recognize a Palestinian state. In addition to Senators Welch and Merkley, the resolution is cosponsored by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
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