J STREET

Foreign Relations

--H.R. 5344 -- To preserve conditions for, and improve the likelihood of, a two-state solution that secures Israels future as a democratic state and a national home for the Jewish people, a viable, democratic Palestinian state, an end to Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories, and peaceful relations between the two states, and to direct the Department of State and other relevant agencies to take steps to accomplish these ends. -H.R. 8282 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill -- A bill to provide FY2023 appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs; --Full funding of the $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Israel pledged in the US-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security assistance, with new provisions in the bill and its accompanying report that ensure that equipment purchased with FMF is used in a manner consistent with US law and national security policies, including specifying that items supplied pursuant to the MOU may not be used in any way that undermines the prospects of a negotiated two-state solution; --$225 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for assistance to the West Bank and Gaza; --Full funding for UNRWA from the Migration and Refugee Account, with an additional $100 million drawn from the Multilateral Assistance Account; --Funding of at least $50 million for programs in the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act; --Report on efforts by both parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to combat incitement to violence; --Language opposing extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and --A waiver allowing the President to rejoin UNESCO -S.1061 / H.R.2748 - Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021 - Requires the Department of State to take certain actions promoting the normalization of relations between Israel, Arab states, and other relevant countries and regions. -S. 1260 / H.R. 2731 - United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 - The bill seeks to address U.S. technology and communications, foreign relations and national security, domestic manufacturing, education, trade, and other matters -S. 4389/H.R. 7223 - COI Elimination Act - The bill seeks to seek the abolish the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. -Letter led by Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Melanie Stansbury urged the Biden Administration to engage with the Israeli government to prevent the evictions of Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta region. -Letter led by Reps. David Price, Barbara Lee, Jennifer Wexton, and Juaquin Castro calling for increased diplomatic engagement around flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as settlement expansion and the prisoner payment program. --Letter led by Sen. Van Hollen calling for an independent US investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American Journalist killed in the West Bank. -Letter led by Reps. Carson, Correa, and Pascrell calling for an independent US investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American Journalist killed in the West Bank. -Letter led by Re. Mark Pocan urged the Department of State to exert diplomatic pressure to prevent E-1 settlement construction and requesting that the Department provide an update on its steps to discourage the advancement of settlements in E-1 by mid-December.