Congressman Jake Auchincloss Leads Democrats in Letter Urging Regional Cooperation to End Hamas’s War Against Israel
Washington, D.C. — United States Representative Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) and Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Tim Kennedy (NY-26), led 26 other Democrats in a letter urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to work with the Arab League to pressure Hamas to end its war with Israel. On July 29, 2025, for the first time, all 22 Arab League member states–including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey–supported a joint declaration condemning Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and calling on the terrorist group to unconditionally surrender by freeing all hostages, disarming, and relinquishing control of Gaza. The lawmakers called on Secretary Rubio to work closely with Israel and move quickly to convene key regional and international partners to broker a coordinated agreement that achieves three vital objectives:
(1) the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas;
(2) the removal of Hamas from political and military control of Gaza; and
(3) a responsible de-escalation of the conflict to protect civilians and create space for reconstruction, governance reform, and peacebuilding.
“We write to urge immediate U.S. diplomatic engagement in response to the historic statement from the Arab League. For the first time, the world’s Arab countries have condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack, called for its disarmament and removal from power in Gaza, called for the release of all the hostages, and endorsed a path toward a two-state solution rooted in security, legitimacy, and diplomacy,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “While there is much we disagree with in the statement, we do believe that this breakthrough presents a rare and urgent opportunity to ensure Israel’s security and create a brighter future for innocent Palestinians free from Hamas through American leadership.”
“Secretary Rubio, we urge you to use every tool available to help bring hostages home, disarm and remove Hamas from power, and lay the foundation for a lasting peace based on mutual recognition, security, and dignity,” the lawmakers continued. “This is a chance to protect Israel–our strongest ally–and align American values with regional momentum, and also leave a lasting legacy.”
"Hamas does not fear another assault — it fears an alternative," said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. "America must bring together the Arab League and Israel to return the hostages, end the war, and govern Gaza without Hamas."
“With the world’s Arab countries now calling for the release of all hostages, Hamas’s disarmament, and a lasting two-state solution, we cannot miss the chance to broker an agreement,” said Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “Secretary Rubio must step up to the plate and use every tool available to ensure a legitimate and lasting peace deal can be reached that brings the hostages home and allows Israel to be free of the terrorist threat on its doorstep."
“The war must end, and the Administration has to lead on this,” said Congressman Greg Landsman. “The Administration must work with Israel and the Arab nations that have called for an end of Hamas to build a new coalition for peace.”
“This moment demands American leadership,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “The Arab League’s historic statement condemning the October 7 atrocities, calling for the release of all hostages, and rejecting Hamas’s continued rule in Gaza is an unprecedented breakthrough. It creates an opportunity for diplomacy that strengthens Israel’s security, relieves the suffering of innocent Palestinians, and moves us closer to a lasting two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and dignity.”
"This is a rare moment when American engagement, working closely with Israel, Arab partners, and other international stakeholders, can make a real difference — helping to free hostages still held captive by Hamas, finally ending Hamas’s violent rule in Gaza, and fostering responsible governance that improves the lives of civilians,” said Brian Romick, President and CEO, Democratic Majority for Israel. "We thank the Democratic Members of Congress who came together to champion this important message to Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration."
In addition to Auchincloss, Wasserman Schultz, Landsman, and Kennedy, the letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Angie Craig (MN-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), George Latimer (NY-16), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Wesley Bell (MO-01).
The full letter is available here.
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