14 | DECEMBER 5 • 2019 Views Editor’ s note: Michigan Congressman Andy Levin com- posed a letter Nov. 19 to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing the disagreement regarding the U.S. stance that West Bank Jewish settlements are no longer illegal. More than 100 Democrats signed the letter, including Michigan representatives Rashida Tlaib, Debbie Dingell, Brenda Lawrence and Dan Kildee. W e write to express our strong disagree- ment with the State Department’ s decision to reverse decades of bipartisan U.S. poli- cy on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank by repudi- ating the 1978 State Department legal opinion that civilian settle- ments in the occupied territories are “inconsistent with interna- tional law. ” This announcement, follow- ing the administration’ s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem outside of a nego- tiated agreement; its closure of the Palestinian mission in Washington, D.C., and U.S. con- sulate in Jerusalem; and its halt- ing of aid Congress appropriated to the West Bank and Gaza, has discredited the United States as an honest broker between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, severely damaged prospects for peace, and endangered the secu- rity of America, Israel and the Palestinian people. U.S. administrations from both parties have followed the 1978 guidance because settle- ment expansion into the occu- pied West Bank makes a contig- uous Palestinian state inviable, jeopardizing Israel’ s future as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people. The State Department’ s unilateral reversal on the status of settlements, without any clear legal justifica- tion, therefore, has offered a tacit endorsement of settlements, their expansion and associat- ed demolitions of Palestinian homes. In addition, one day after the Department’ s decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved to advance a bill to annex the Jordan Valley. As annexation and the United States’ approval thereof would destroy prospects for a two-state solution and lead to a more entrenched and pos- sibly deadlier conflict, this deci- sion erodes the security of both Israel and the United States. This State Department decision blatantly disregards Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which affirms that any occupying power shall not “deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. ” In ignoring international law, this administration has undermined America’ s moral standing and sent a dangerous message to those who do not share our val- ues: human rights and interna- tional law, which have governed the international order and pro- tected U.S. troops and civilians since 1949, no longer apply. If the U.S. unilaterally aban- dons international and human rights law, we can only expect a more chaotic and brutal 21st century for Americans and our allies, including the Israeli people. Given these serious impli- cations, we strongly urge you to reverse this policy decision immediately. letter to congress 100 Congresspeople Say Reverse Settlement Decision OUR JN MISSION: We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’ s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to refl ect diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast Michigan. 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