WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the House passed a resolution supporting the State of Israel, which he supported:
“This resolution is aspirational: it embodies what Israel wants to be and what we hope it is. But if we want to make this vision a reality, then as friends of Israel, we must point out the significant barriers to those aspirations – as any good friend would.
“We must recognize that the expansion of illegal settlements, settler terrorism, and inhumane conditions in Gaza make meaningful peace elusive, as do rocket attacks against Israelis by extremists in Gaza. I believe the best thing the United States can do to support Israel and Palestine and work toward peace in the region would be for the State Department to appoint a Special Envoy, with deep roots in both communities, who can bring the parties together to find a path towards peace.
“Israel is a friend of the United States. Criticism of the Israeli government and their actions is not antisemitism – it’s real and honest friendship.”