October 23, 2025

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Donald Trump to Reinforce Opposition to West Bank Annexation

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to urge Donald Trump to reinforce his stated opposition to Israel’s annexation of territory in the West Bank amid the ongoing focus on implementing and sustaining the much-needed ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump previously expressed his opposition to annexations, saying he would “not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.” The recent ceasefire plan for Gaza omits any mention of the West Bank.

“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,” the lawmakers wrote to Trump.

“As longstanding supporters of Israel’s 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.”

The 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.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and U.S. Senators Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt-Rochester, D-Del., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Chris Coons, D-Del., Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., Tammy Duckworth, D, Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward Markey, D-Mass., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Mark Warner, D-Va., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

The full letter is here.