Several Democrats running for president in 2020 hammered the Trump administration’s Monday declaration that it will no longer consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal, a move they said would hinder peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

“This decision harms the cause of diplomacy, takes us further away from the hope of a two-state solution, and will only further inflame tensions in the region. It’s not about peace or security. It is not about being pro-Israel. It is about undercutting Israel’s future in service of Trump’s personal politics,” former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE’s campaign said in a statement to Jewish Insider.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), a top progressive in the primary field, said she would reverse the policy if elected and rededicate the United States’ efforts to a two-state solution.

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“Another blatantly ideological attempt by the Trump administration to distract from its failures in the region. Not only do these settlements violate international law—they make peace harder to achieve,” she tweeted.

Another blatantly ideological attempt by the Trump administration to distract from its failures in the region. Not only do these settlements violate international law—they make peace harder to achieve. As president, I will reverse this policy and pursue a two state solution. https://t.co/AgkpYDY8PU — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 18, 2019

“Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal. This is clear from international law and multiple United Nations resolutions. Once again, Mr. Trump is isolating the United States and undermining diplomacy by pandering to his extremist base,” added Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.).

Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal. This is clear from international law and multiple United Nations resolutions. Once again, Mr. Trump is isolating the United States and undermining diplomacy by pandering to his extremist base. https://t.co/Vz5NNpKIVB — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 18, 2019

South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE (D), who is surging in early state polls, said the decision marked “a significant step backward in our efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” while Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D-Hawaii), a fellow veteran who served in the Middle East, said Tuesday the declaration “[threw] out four decades of US policy.”

The Trump administration’s statement on West Bank settlements is not only a significant step backward in our efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is the latest in a pattern of destructive decisions that harm our national interests. https://t.co/1RFBv7O1bZ — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 18, 2019

Trump’s throwing out four decades of US policy, no longer considering Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be violations of international law, is a serious setback to peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. All who want a peaceful resolution urge Trump to reconsider. — Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) November 20, 2019

Other 2020 Democrats also came out against the announcement, maintaining that it was a reversal of U.S. policy that would place yet another roadblock in peace negotiations on an issue already considered a third rail of American foreign policy.

These settlements are a clear violation of international law and push us further away from a two-state solution.



This is a grave error that severely damages the prospects for peace, further isolates America, & undermines our moral leadership. https://t.co/YjcqbgCUSt — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) November 19, 2019

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE announced the new policy Monday, marking a 1978 memorandum establishing American talking points related to Israeli civilian-settlement activity in areas occupied by Israel, which included the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Sinai in Egypt and the Golan Heights in Syria.

“In 1978, the Carter administration categorically concluded that Israel’s establishment of civilian settlements was inconsistent with international law,” Pompeo said on Monday. “However, in 1981, President Reagan disagreed with that resolution and stated that he didn’t believe that the settlements were inherently illegal."

“This administration agrees with President Reagan,” he added.

Israel occupied the West Bank of the Jordan Valley following the 1967 Six-Day War. There are an estimated 700,000 Israelis living in communities across the territories, land which Palestinians demand would constitute a country of their own in a potential two-state solution. Critics say settlement expansion threatens the territorial contiguity and would make forming a state of Palestine increasingly difficult.

Support for Israel has historically been a bipartisan issue, though Democrats have appeared increasingly willing to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE and his policies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as an activist base demands an increased focus on human rights issues.