Scoop: Inside Democrats' growing push for Palestinian statehood
Axios
More than a dozen House Democrats have now signed onto a letter urging the Trump administration to recognize a Palestinian state, and at least one plans to introduce a pro-statehood resolution, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The surge in efforts to secure Palestinian statehood is a byproduct of lawmakers' discomfort towards the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Even some Republicans and staunchly pro-Israel House Democrats have ramped up their criticism of Israeli leadership in recent weeks in response to mounting evidence of a famine in Gaza.
Driving the news: Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) are the latest members to have signed the letter, which is being led by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Axios has learned.
- That's in addition to nine earlier signatories: Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Al Green (D-Texas), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).
- Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.), one of three Muslim American members of Congress, has also signed on, his spokesperson told Axios.
- The letter was first reported by Jewish Insider.
Zoom in: "This tragic moment has highlighted for the world the long overdue need to recognize Palestinian self-determination," reads the letter to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a copy obtained by Axios.
- The lawmakers pointed to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent pledge to recognize the State of Palestine at a UN meeting in September, which Rubio harshly criticized.
- "We encourage the governments of other countries that have yet to recognize Palestinian statehood, including the United States, to do so as well," they wrote.
Zoom out: The letter comes amid mounting international recognition of a Palestinian state, most notably from France, the United Kingdom and Canada.
- The U.S. is unlikely to follow suit, however, as the Trump administration has positioned the U.S. as a close ally of Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Still, even Trump has wavered in recent days, telling Axios' Barak Ravid he is working on a plan to "get people fed" in Gaza after casting doubt on Netanyahu's claims that there is no starvation there.
Between the lines: The number of Democrats who have signed on so far is nearly triple the amount who co-sponsored a resolution introduced by Green in 2023 affirming the "State of Palestine's right to exist."
- That measure was backed by just five of the members during the last Congress: Carson, Doggett, Escobar, Frost and Watson Coleman.
- Khanna, in a statement to Axios, said he "just started outreach this past week" on the letter and that "the response has been overwhelming."
What they're saying: "The recognition would come by embracing the 22 state Arab League Plan just passed this week that calls for a Palestinian state and the recognition of Israel as a Jewish democratic state," Khanna said.
- Noting that over 147 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, the California Democrat added: "We cannot be isolated from the rest of the free world."
- Watson Coleman said in a statement: "If we're to see an end to war, famine, and the return of hostages, the recognition of a Palestinian state, contingent on the disarmament of Hamas and security guarantees for both Israel and Palestine, must be a part of that process."
What we're hearing: Lawmakers told Axios to expect similar pro-Palestinian initiatives in the coming weeks and months in response to worsening conditions in Gaza.
- "You know there will be," said one House Democrat, saying the situation in the region is "too awful not to have more."
- Green told Axios he intends to reintroduce a resolution this Congress affirming Palestine's right to exist but still needs to consult staff on the specific language: "Something will be introduced."