WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Sunday released the following statement on the new unity government formed in Israel:

“Congratulations to the Israeli people on the formation of a new government. Israel remains a critical partner and ally for the United States, and I look forward to working with this unlikely coalition. The only way to create a just and lasting peace in the region is with a two-state future between Israelis and Palestinians, and I am hopeful this government will be committed to a path back to the negotiating table,” said Murphy.

Murphy issued a statement when Israel and Hamas struck a ceasefire deal last month. Before the ceasefire, Murphy along with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a letter with over a dozen of their Senate colleagues urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to immediately take steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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