Dems urge Biden to have official US communications describe West Bank, Gaza as occupied by Israel

They want Biden to "Make clear that the United States considers settlements to be inconsistent with international law by reissuing relevant State Department and U.S. customs guidance to that effect."

Israeli flag flies from Kidmat Zion Jewish settlement in August 2008

By Alex Nitzberg

Dozens of Democrats have signed onto a letter urging President Biden to make a number of moves pertaining to Israeli-Palestinian relations such as ensuring that official communications describe the West Bank and Gaza Strip as having an occupied status.

The 73 Democrats call for Biden to "Ensure that all relevant official U.S. documents and communications once again consistently refer to the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip as occupied" and to "Make clear that the United States considers settlements to be inconsistent with international law by reissuing relevant State Department and U.S. customs guidance to that effect."

Among other asks, they urge Biden to "Consistently and proactively issue firm public condemnations of specific actions that violate the rights of either party or undermine the prospects for peace."

The Jerusalem Post noted that former President Donald Trump recognized an Israeli right to annex portions of the West Bank, agreed to the Jewish State's claim to the Golan Heights and relocated the American embassy to Israel's capital city of Jerusalem.