Why It Matters

Can Congress push forward a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel while the Administration embraces Israel’s current stance? That will be the underlying tension at the December 10 hearing as lawmakers confront fundamental contradictions in U.S. policy toward Israel and the West Bank as settlement expansion accelerates dramatically.

At stake: The viability of a two-state solution, regional stability, and America’s credibility with traditional Middle East partners. The Trump administration’s Gaza peace plan faces complications from escalating settler violence, which jumped over 100 percent in 2025.

Key tensions:

  • Israeli settlement approvals hit record highs in 2025: nearly 30,000 units
  • Settler violence injured over 1,000 Palestinians in 2025, more than double 2024 levels
  • U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declared there is "no such thing as a settlement," contradicting President Trump’s stated opposition to annexation
  • The International Court of Justice concluded Israel has unlawfully annexed West Bank territory

Who is affected: Palestinians facing record violence and land loss; Israel’s Arab partners reconsidering normalization; Congressional allies of Israel like Rep. Brad Sherman publicly condemning settler killings as terrorism.

Broader Context

Congress is grappling with accelerating Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank amid shifting global dynamics. Settlement approvals have reached record highs in 2025, with the Israeli government approving nearly 30,000 units this year alone.

This tension plays out against the Trump administration’s contradictory messaging on annexation. While President Trump stated annexation "is not going to happen," U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declared there is "no room" for a Palestinian state. The mixed signals complicate Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.

International allies are growing concerned. The UAE has warned that formal annexation would cross a "red line." The EU proposed suspending trade concessions and sanctioning Israeli extremist ministers, while France, Ireland, and Spain recognized Palestinian statehood in 2025.

Support for a two-state solution continues eroding. Just 21 percent of Israelis backed Palestinian coexistence as of June 2025.

The Agenda

The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will convene December 10 to examine U.S.-Israel relations and West Bank policy.

Key participating members include:

  • Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) — Senior Democrat who recently condemned settler violence against Palestinians as "terrorism," demanding Israeli accountability while maintaining strong pro-Israel credentials.

  • Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) — Likely to focus on broader Middle East strategy and regional alliances tied to Israeli security interests.

  • Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) — Expected to emphasize Israel’s military and security operations as strategic necessities against regional threats.

Sherman’s recent statements signal the hearing’s likely tension point. He condemned the killing of Palestinian American Sayfollah Musallet by Israeli settlers and called for dismantling illegal settlement outposts—all while reaffirming his pro-Israel stance.

Between The Lines

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) has emerged as a critical voice willing to challenge Israeli actions. Sherman recently condemned the killing of Sayfollah Musallet by Israeli settlers, calling it a "terrorist act." His approach—strongly pro-Israel while criticizing specific actions—represents growing Democratic willingness to impose conditions on support.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) has shaped the hearing’s framing through discussions with former U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee about the region’s governance structure.

The three other participating Democrats—Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Bill Keating (D-MA)—have not publicly staked positions, making their questioning particularly significant for revealing Democratic caucus divisions.

Competitive Landscape

Pro-Israel organizations dominate the lobbying landscape. J Street spent $205,000 in Q2 2025 and $170,000 in Q3 2025, lobbying on S.2672 (SANCTIONS in the West Bank Act). The Zionist Organization of America maintained consistent quarterly spending of $50,000.

Humanitarian organizations bring different perspectives. Oxfam America spent $38,775 in Q1 2025, focusing on humanitarian exemptions to sanctions.

The spending disparity reflects broader ideological divisions, with pro-Israel groups collectively spending significantly more than humanitarian-focused organizations.

The Bottom Line

The December 10 hearing reflects deepening congressional tension over West Bank policy amid accelerating settlement expansion and record settler violence. Key members—including staunch pro-Israel Democrats—are publicly condemning Israeli actions while the Trump administration sends conflicting signals on annexation. The core dispute centers on whether to prioritize historical claims and security arguments or emphasize international law and human rights concerns.

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