Post by : Naveen Mittal

US Democrats Push Senate Resolution to Recognize Palestinian State

A new debate has opened in Washington as Democratic senators introduced a resolution urging the United States to recognize a Palestinian state alongside Israel. While the move is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate, it reflects a significant shift in American politics as the war in Gaza nears its two-year mark.

A Divided Senate

The Senate currently has a 53-47 Republican majority. President Donald Trump and his party strongly oppose the idea, making it difficult for the Democratic-led resolution to succeed. Trump even said this week that he disagreed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has expressed support for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Despite these challenges, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who is leading the push, said: “America has a responsibility to lead, and the time to act is now.”

Merkley explained that recognizing a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel would give hope to both sides and improve chances for long-term peace.

Growing Support in Congress

In the House of Representatives, Democrat Ro Khanna of California is rallying lawmakers to support Palestinian recognition as well. More Democrats are now calling on Israel to end the war and to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

Several Democratic senators are co-sponsoring the resolution, including Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine, Peter Welch, Tina Smith, Tammy Baldwin, and Mazie Hirono. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is also backing it. Sanders recently became the first US senator to openly describe events in Gaza as a genocide.

International Pressure and UN Findings

The push in the US comes at a time when international pressure on Israel is growing. A United Nations Commission of Inquiry declared this week that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the report, calling it biased and based on unverified claims.

Meanwhile, some US allies are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. This signals a larger shift worldwide, as more governments move toward supporting Palestinian statehood.

Public Opinion in the US

Recent surveys show that a majority of Americans are also leaning in that direction. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last month found that 58% of Americans believe every UN member country should recognize Palestine as a nation.

Human Toll of the War

The conflict began with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and left 251 hostages taken. According to Israel, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 still alive.

Since then, the Palestinian death toll has soared. Gaza health authorities report that more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing war, most of them civilians. Bombardments, food shortages, and the destruction of homes have left families struggling for survival.

A Turning Point in US Politics?

The resolution may not pass now, but observers say it marks a turning point in the American conversation about the Middle East. For decades, the US has strongly supported Israel, often blocking UN resolutions critical of its actions. But with civilian deaths mounting and famine threatening Gaza, more lawmakers and citizens are asking whether the US should change course.

Senator Merkley and his colleagues argue that recognizing Palestine would not weaken Israel’s security. Instead, they believe it would bring hope to both sides and could be the first step toward lasting peace in the region.

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