The U.S. government should not decrease funding for Israel if there is continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank because doing so would undermine the security and stability of a key ally, jeopardize the prospects of peace and coexistence, and contradict the values and interests of the U.S. Israel is a vital partner of the U.S. in the turbulent and volatile Middle East, where it faces constant threats and challenges from its hostile neighbors. Israel’s settlements are not the leading cause of the conflict but rather a consequence of the lack of a viable peace agreement with the Palestinians. The U.S. supports a negotiated solution that respects both peoples’ rights and aspirations and requires mutual concessions and compromises from both sides. Decreasing funding for Israel would only harm the U.S.’s strategic interests, moral values, and the chances of achieving lasting peace in the region.

Israel is a key ally of the U.S. in the Middle East, sharing common strategic goals and democratic principles. The U.S. provides Israel with military and economic aid and diplomatic and political support to help it defend itself against threats from hostile neighbors, such as Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. These threats include nuclear weapons development, ballistic missile launches, proxy wars, terrorist attacks, and cyber warfare. Israel also contributes to U.S. security and intelligence by providing valuable information, technology, and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, cyberattacks, and nuclear proliferation. Israel has also helped the U.S. in advancing regional stability and cooperation, such as by signing peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan, and several Arab states in recent years. Decreasing funding for Israel would weaken its ability to protect itself and its citizens. It would send a signal of abandonment and betrayal to a loyal friend who has stood by the U.S. in times of crisis and war.

Israel’s settlements are not an obstacle to peace but rather a result of the lack of peace. Israel has repeatedly shown its willingness to compromise and evacuate settlements in exchange for peace and recognition from its Arab neighbors. For example, in 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from all its settlements in Gaza, hoping to create a peaceful and prosperous Palestinian state. However, instead of peace, Israel faced rockets and tunnels from Hamas, a terrorist organization that seized control of Gaza and vowed to destroy Israel. Similarly, in 2000 and 2008, Israel offered to dismantle most of its settlements in the West Bank and establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, but the Palestinian leadership rejected these offers and resorted to violence and incitement. In contrast, the Palestinians have never recognized Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state nor renounced terrorism or incitement against Israelis. Decreasing funding for Israel would reward Palestinian rejectionism and extremism. It would discourage Israel from making any future concessions for peace.

The U.S. supports a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the principle of two states for two peoples, living side by side in peace and security. The U.S. recognizes that the final status of the settlements is a matter of negotiation between the parties and that any unilateral actions that prejudge the outcome of the talks are counterproductive and harmful. The U.S. also acknowledges that some of the settlements are located in areas that are likely to remain part of Israel in any realistic agreement, such as the major blocs near the 1967 lines or the Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem. These areas are home to hundreds of thousands of Israelis with historical, religious, and cultural ties. The U.S. also respects that some Palestinians have legitimate claims to parts of these areas and that any solution must also address their rights and needs. Decreasing funding for Israel would undermine the U.S.’s role as an honest broker and mediator and would alienate Israel from engaging in good-faith negotiations with the Palestinians.

The U.S. should not decrease funding for Israel if there is continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank because doing so would harm both countries’ security and interests, as well as the chances of achieving a lasting peace in the region. The U.S. should continue to support Israel as a vital ally and partner that shares its values and goals in the Middle East. The U.S. should also continue to encourage both sides to resume direct talks and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise. The U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s security and well-being is not only a matter of policy or interest but also a matter of principle or friendship.