Gregory Meeks, a senior Democrat on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, called on Donald Trump to intervene in the Israeli government’s settlement plans in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank.
Meeks said he was “extremely concerned” that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had opened tenders for more than 1,200 housing units under the E1 plan.

Potential consequences of the settlement plan
Arguing that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank violate international law, Meeks said construction in the E1 area would further fragment the West Bank. He also said the move would separate East Jerusalem from Palestinian population centers and seriously undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state.
Meeks said Palestinians have the right to their own viable state, adding that Israelis also deserve lasting security and a future free from ongoing conflict.
Meeks warned that expanding settlements could make a negotiated two-state solution increasingly impossible. He said this could lead to Israel becoming more isolated internationally and weaken support for Israel in the United States.
Call for Washington to send a message to Netanyahu
Meeks asked Trump to make clear to Netanyahu that the Washington administration would not accept the advancement of the E1 plans.
Meeks said the U.S. administration should demand that the plans be halted immediately and that no further steps be taken toward construction. He called on Washington not to remain silent as the E1 plan moves forward.