Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Monday was one of the few Democrats to indicate the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is a mistake, and said that decision should have been delayed until a peace agreement is reached with Palestinians.
“The location of the embassy is a final-status issue that should have been resolved as part of peace negotiations where both sides benefit, not just one side,” she said. “Israel will only know true security when it is at peace with its neighbors.”
As Israel celebrated the new U.S. Embassy, Feinstein noted the several dozen Palestinian people who were killed as part of the violent protests against Israel in Gaza. She said Trump needs to pay attention to their needs as well.
“Today’s protests in Gaza have left more than 40 Palestinians dead and hundreds more injured — it’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is desperate. Instead of cutting aid, the Trump administration must restore our leadership role and do what it can to alleviate the Palestinians’ suffering.”
“In the aftermath of the embassy opening today, the Trump administration should state its unequivocal support for a two-state solution and work with our allies to restart talks between the Palestinians and Israelis so that a more secure future for all can be achieved,” she added.
Feinstein went further than most Democrats, as most of her colleagues indicated support for the embassy’s new location, even though they also called for ongoing talks to find a two-state solution.
[Related: Chuck Schumer backs ‘long overdue’ decision to move US Embassy to Jerusalem]
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the embassy move was a matter of time, but said the peace process must continue.
“[I]t is critical that the United States continue to reaffirm unequivocally that a peace process that leads to two states living side by side in peace, security, and prosperity is Israel’s best guarantor for enduring stability and peace,” he said. “The United States must continue to seek opportunities that facilitate a return to direct negotiations for Israel and the Palestinians.”
Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the move, but also called for an active peace process.
“As the United States endeavors to help those in the region build a more peaceful and secure future, I look forward to hearing what the Administration’s plan is to bring the parties together to work toward two states for two peoples,” he said.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., had a similar message on Twitter.
Today we celebrate the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to its appropriate place in Jerusalem. But the hard work of helping bring about a secure and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians must go on.
— Senator Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) May 14, 2018
“Today we celebrate the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to its appropriate place in Jerusalem,” he tweeted. “But the hard work of helping bring about a secure and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians must go on.”
