A group of progressive House Democrats have launched a renewed push for the United States to officially recognise Palestinian statehood, citing worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and shifting global diplomacy.
Led by Representative Ro Khanna of California, the letter has been signed by more than a dozen Democrats, including Pramila Jayapal, Chellie Pingree, Jim McGovern and Al Green. The appeal urges President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state, aligning US policy with much of the international community.
The letter references growing momentum among US allies, including France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all of whom have indicated a willingness to back statehood recognition during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. Democrats argue that the US risks isolating itself diplomatically if it continues to oppose recognition while humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate.
The initiative follows months of intense debate in Congress over US military aid to Israel, civilian casualties in Gaza, and the broader future of American policy in the Middle East. Signatories say that recognising Palestinian statehood does not equate to condoning violence but acknowledges the need for a political solution based on coexistence.
Representative Al Green is reportedly preparing a separate resolution in Congress to formally declare US recognition of Palestine’s right to exist as an independent state. Supporters of the initiative point to the more than 140 countries worldwide that have already recognised Palestine, arguing that the US must stop treating the issue as politically untouchable.
The effort has exposed widening fault lines within the Democratic Party. While moderate Democrats remain cautious, fearing diplomatic fallout with Israel, progressives say the current trajectory of US policy is untenable. They argue that continued backing of Israel’s military campaign without clear support for Palestinian rights undermines America’s credibility on the global stage.
The Trump administration has not indicated any willingness to shift its stance. Both Trump and Rubio have historically expressed firm support for Israel and view Palestinian statehood initiatives as premature or counterproductive without direct peace negotiations in place.
Nonetheless, the growing congressional effort is expected to gain visibility in the coming weeks as the General Assembly session nears. Whether it garners broader bipartisan backing remains uncertain, but the move signals a notable evolution in how parts of the US political establishment now approach the Israel–Palestine question.
REFH – Newshub, 5 August 2025
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