The Netanyahu government's efforts to supercharge settlement expansion in the West Bank is part of the settlement movement's goal of securing permanent, undemocratic control over Palestinian territory.

To make way for settlements and keep land clear, Israeli authorities demolish homes, businesses, schools, farms and water and power utilities. This is a clear violation of the shared values of justice, equality and democracy upon which the US-Israel relationship is founded. It does nothing to aid Israel's security, only entrenching the occupation and putting more young Israelis in harm's way.

As a true friend to Israel and a supporter of a peaceful, democratic future, the United States must not enable or empower the right-wing settlement movement.

We the undersigned believe it's time to show leadership and explicitly calling out settlement expansion for what it is: A direct violation of international law.