Nancy Pelosi walks to the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 12, 2021. (Photo/JTA-Andrew Caballero-Reynolds-AFP via Getty Images) News Politics Netanyahu calls Pelosi to discuss Israel’s Covid response as some Democrats offer criticism Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | February 25, 2021 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel’s Covid-19 response at a time that Israel is under pressure to extend its vaccination program to Palestinians in the West Bank. “Today, I spoke with [the Israeli prime minister] to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations and Congress’s unwavering support for a safe and secure Israel,” Pelosi said Wednesday on Twitter. “We discussed Covid response and our shared hope for regional peace, including a just, stable and enduring two-state solution.” Today, I spoke w/ @IsraeliPM to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations & Congress’s unwavering support for a safe & secure Israel. We discussed COVID response & our shared hope for regional peace, including a just, stable & enduring 2-state solution. pic.twitter.com/zcTgQF9G8b — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 24, 2021 JTA has learned that Netanyahu initiated the call, and that it was lengthy and friendly. It comes just a month before Israel’s elections. Pelosi’s tweet is illustrated with a photo of Pelosi in her office, taking notes at a desk that overlooks the National Mall. It’s notable that Pelosi singled out Covid response; Israel is garnering international criticism for leaving out Palestinians in the West Bank from its successful vaccine rollout. Among the critics have been leading Democrats in the House. Netanyahu this week ordered the delivery of thousands of vaccines to the Palestinians, reportedly after pressure from the U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, but the likelihood is that U.S. pressure will not let up until Netanyahu delivers a more comprehensive vaccine rollout for the Palestinians. Israel says that prior agreements and international law do not oblige it to vaccinate Palestinians living under the Palestinian Authority. Also notable is Pelosi’s mention of a “just, stable and enduring two-state solution.” With Democrats now controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, Israel will be under pressure to abandon the Trump administration peace plan, which was vague about whether the Palestinians would achieve statehood, and included the prospect of Israel annexing parts of the West Bank. Pelosi’s affirmation of the “unbreakable bond between our nations and Congress’s unwavering support for a safe and secure Israel” comes as Israel and pro-Israel groups are apprehensive at the ascent within the Democratic congressional caucus of lawmakers who have been sharply critical of Israel. Last week, Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat from Minnesota who has proposed conditioning aid to Israel on its treatment of Palestinian minors in detention, was named chairwoman of the influential defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Ron Kampeas Ron Kampeas is the D.C. bureau chief at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. World Why Russian Jews are divided over the anti-Putin movement Opinion What Jewish comedians made of SNL's Israel joke Bay Area Head of diversity agency: All hands on deck in fight for Jews of color U.S. Transgender Jews find an unexpected safe haven: the farm Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up