For the first time since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, a group of U.S. senators, led by Democrat Jeff Merkley, introduced a historic resolution calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine. The move signals a potential shift in Washington’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Resolution Highlights
The resolution advocates for:
- Recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state
- Support for a secure Israel
- Advancement toward a two-state solution and lasting peace
“America has a responsibility to lead, and the time for action has come,” said Merkley.
Co-sponsors include Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine, Peter Welch, Tina Smith, Tammy Baldwin, Mazie Hirono, and independent Bernie Sanders, who recently described the Gaza situation as genocide.
International Context and U.S. Politics
A UN investigative commission concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a claim Tel Aviv rejects as unilateral and unfounded.
In the House of Representatives, Democrat Ro Khanna is circulating a letter to gather support for the initiative, although Republicans, who hold the majority, are expected to strongly oppose it.
President Donald Trump has publicly rejected Palestinian recognition, with no Republican support for the resolution.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 58% of Americans support UN member states recognizing Palestine.
This initiative comes ahead of the second anniversary of the Gaza war, during which local authorities report over 65,000 Palestinian deaths, while the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack killed 1,200 in Israel and took 251 hostages.
