Over Dozen House Democrats Urge US Recognition Palestinian Statehood Amid Gaza Crisis

A growing group of progressive Democrats in the House, led by Representative Ro Khanna, is urging President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to formally recognize a Palestinian state, marking a significant shift in the party’s stance amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The letter, signed by at least 13 lawmakers including prominent progressives like Pramila Jayapal and Maxwell Frost, emphasizes that recognizing Palestinian statehood alongside obligations for Palestinian leaders to abide by international law could lead to a more sustainable resolution than decades of conflict. This push aligns with recent international developments, as countries such as the UK, France, and Canada have announced intentions to recognize Palestine, reflecting frustration with Israel’s actions under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Parallel to this, a new peace proposal emerged from a high-level conference in New York involving 17 states and international bodies, calling for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas's disarmament, and the creation of a unified Palestinian state, with Arab states leading reconstruction efforts in Gaza. While the U.S. and Israel were absent from this conference, the plan represents a bold step toward a two-state solution aiming to end violence and humanitarian crises. Despite no Republican support and skepticism about influencing Trump’s policy, the Democratic effort underscores a broader shift in U.S. political discourse on Israel-Palestine and attempts to align American policy with evolving international consensus.