Dear [name of elected representative]
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent about the increasing expansion of Israeli control over occupied Palestine. Actions by the Israeli government to turn its 58-year military occupation of Palestinian land into permanent annexation – preventing a two-state solution and in violation of international law – are harming prospects for a sustainable and just peace for all Palestinians and Israelis. I also write at a time when the men, women, and children of Gaza have once more been brought to the brink of famine as a result of Israeli policies against Palestinians. I ask that you take the urgent actions below.
For decades, the Israeli government has been pursuing policies of de facto annexation to establish a permanent presence in areas of occupied Palestine in violation of its obligations as a temporary occupier of the land. This has included its mass transfer of over 750,000 Israeli civilians into settlements built illegally on Palestinian land. Since 2020, the Israeli government has increasingly expressed its intention to go further and formally annex parts of occupied Palestine. In its coalition agreement of December 2022, the Israeli government declared: “ Jewish people have an exclusive and indisputable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The Government will promote and develop settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel – the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan and Judea and Samaria [the West Bank].” In November 2024, Israeli finance minister Smotrich declared 2025 to be “ year of annexation in the West Bank.”
Similar intentions have also been expressed for Gaza. In March 2025, the Israeli government said that Israel was “to realise the vision of US president Donald Trump” to forcibly displace two million Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the land for profit. The Israeli government has since established a new ministry to begin implementing this policy. More recently, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu confirmed his intention to control “all of Gaza”.
Unilateral annexation would permanently strip affected Palestinians of their basic human rights in serious violation of international law including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Annexation will further threaten peace efforts and wider regional stability.
Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights and peace groups have advocated for decades for an end of the occupation and a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) landmark Advisory Opinion in July 2024 provided legal clarity that Israel’ presence in occupied Palestine is illegal and must end “rapidly as possible.” The Advisory Opinion included rulings that all Israeli settlers must be evacuated immediately, settlements dismantled, and reparations made to Palestinians for the damage caused since the occupation began in 1967. It also provided clarity on the obligations of other states to ensure they are not rendering aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’ illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
I urge you to take the following actions:
· Speak out against plans to illegally annex areas of occupied Palestine and support calls for the international community to reject any such plans.
· Ask the government/ministers to clarify how it will ensure compliance with the ICJ’s call for states to differentiate between Israel and occupied Palestine in all areas of cooperation
· Ask the government/ministers what steps they are taking to prevent – in accordance with the obligations of the ICJ opinion – our state and citizens from providing aid or support for the maintenance of the illegal occupation
· Work with other politicians in this country and around the world to re-start a political process to bring about an end to the occupation and a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Any peace agreement must protect the self-determination and human rights of all who live on the land.
· Support local Palestinian and Israeli initiatives for a just peace by protecting and broadening spaces for human rights and peace organisations to work and speak out.
I would be grateful for a response to this email, and the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my concerns.
With thanks,
[your name + your home address]
