Israel is trying to prevent the Senate from passing a bipartisan resolution endorsing a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli officials and congressional staffers tell me.
Why it matters: The resolution could put pressure on the White House as it prepares to release its long-awaited peace plan.
The backdrop: Since President Trump entered the Oval Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backtracked on his public support for a two-state solution.
– The Trump administration has been careful not to publicly endorse it either, despite longstanding policy from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
– White House officials say they haven’t supported the two-state solution because it means different things for the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The resolution for was drafted by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen. Israeli officials told me it could be tabled soon and — as a bipartisan measure backed by a close Trump ally like Graham — would be expected to win a substantial majority.