Democratic-led US Senate resolution seeks recognition of Palestinian state

By Patricia Zengerle

A group of U.S. senators introduced on Thursday the first Senate resolution to urge recognition of a Palestinian state, further signaling a shift in Washington sentiment toward Israel nearly two years into its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Democratic-led measure is unlikely to pass the chamber where President Donald Trump's Republicans have a 53-47 majority. Trump said on Thursday he disagreed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over whether to recognize a Palestinian state and no Republicans have joined efforts to do so.

Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who is leading the effort, said in a statement: "America has a responsibility to lead, and the time to act is now."

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The resolution urges U.S. recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel and would offer both sides hope while boosting prospects for peace, Merkley said.

In the House of Representatives, Ro Khanna of California is circulating a letter hoping to rally support for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The actions reflect a shift among lawmakers toward pressuring Israel to end the war and ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the conflict approaches the two-year mark.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Senate resolution's other co-sponsors are Democrats Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Peter Welch of Vermont, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, as well as Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

Sanders on Wednesday became the first U.S. senator to describe events in Gaza as a genocide.

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded this week that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel said the findings were biased and based on unverified evidence.

A handful of U.S. allies are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state as world leaders meet at the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week.

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A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll last month showed that a majority of Americans - 58% - believe that every country in the United Nations should recognize Palestine as a nation.

The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 65,000 on Wednesday, Gaza health authorities say. About 1,200 people were killed in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the war and 251 were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza and around 20 are still alive.