February 07, 2025

Wyden, Colleagues Condemn the Use of U.S. Military Assets or Personnel to Take Over Gaza

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) today unveiled a resolution affirming that the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and to express the sense of the Senate that the United States shall not deploy U.S. military assets or personnel to Gaza.

The resolution rebuts Donald Trump’s declared support for forcibly displacing millions of Palestinians. Trump did not rule out using U.S. military force to take over Gaza.

“Donald Trump’s demented call for ethnic cleansing is cruel even by his debased standards,” Wyden said. “Trump’s latest pronouncement would threaten the security of Americans and all people in the Middle East by inspiring fresh legions of terrorists. I continue to support a two-state solution as the best opportunity for peace, and I vehemently oppose the deployment of U.S. troops that this twisted and dangerous scheme would require.”

“Gaza is home to Palestinians. The U.S. cannot take it away and must not support displacing Palestinians from their land,” said Kaine. “The lessons of the last 25 years demonstrate that U.S. efforts to nation build in the region are doomed to failure. I’m introducing this resolution with my colleagues to send a clear message: now is the time to support the hope of Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side by side—not to drag our servicemembers into another endless war in the Middle East.”

“Any proposal that the United States should take control of Gaza is outrageous,” said Durbin. “We must continue to push for a renewed focus on the future: long-term security for Israel, rebuilding Gaza, a reformed Palestinian Authority, and a two-state solution. The United States has a responsibility to push towards finding a solution that allows Israeli and Palestinian children to once and for all live together in peace and dignity. For the safety and security of our American troops, Congress must continue to push back against the President.”

“My north star has always been a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace and dignity,” said Warnock. “I will always support Israel, but I’m deeply disturbed by President Trump’s opposition to a two-state solution, especially the potential involvement of American troops in the Gaza Strip.”

“The creation of a Palestinian state has been long-standing U.S. policy supported by presidents of both parties. President Trump's proposal that the U.S. should 'take over' control of Gaza is not only dangerous—it would violate international law. There won't be lasting peace in the Middle East until Palestinians have equal measures of dignity, safety, and sovereignty, alongside Israel,” said Welch. “Our resolution reaffirms the path to peace and the Palestinian people's irrefutable right to self-determination.”

Full text of the resolution is here.