A growing group of Democratic lawmakers in the United States is calling on the Trump administration to formally recognise the State of Palestine, signaling a shift in momentum within Congress amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Congressional Push Gains Momentum
More than a dozen Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to recognise Palestine as an independent state, according to a report by Axios. The initiative is being spearheaded by Representative Ro Khanna, and support for the measure has grown rapidly.
New signatories to the letter include Representatives Chellie Pingree, Nydia Velázquez, and Jim McGovern. They join nine other Democratic lawmakers who had already backed the effort, including:
- Greg Casar
- Lloyd Doggett
- Veronica Escobar
- Maxwell Frost
- Al Green
- Jared Huffman
- Mark Pocan
- Bonnie Watson Coleman
Representative André Carson, one of the few Muslim-American members of Congress, has also added his name to the list of supporters.
More Support Than Previous Resolutions
According to Axios, the current number of signatories is nearly three times greater than those who supported a 2023 resolution introduced by Rep. Al Green, which affirmed the right of the State of Palestine to exist.
Green has stated he intends to reintroduce a new resolution supporting Palestinian statehood. However, he noted that his team is still working on finalizing the specific language of the resolution.
Global Influence: Macron’s Recognition Sparks Action
In their letter, the Democratic lawmakers referenced French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to formally recognise Palestine during an upcoming United Nations meeting in September. Macron’s statement drew criticism from senior Republicans in the US but has added momentum to the international movement.
“We encourage the governments of other countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine — including the United States — to follow suit,” the letter stated.
“The Response Has Been Overwhelming”
Representative Ro Khanna told Axios that public outreach for the letter began just last week, and the level of support has exceeded expectations.
“More than 147 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state,” Khanna said. “We cannot be in isolation from the rest of the free world.”
Recognition Tied to Peace and Security Conditions
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman emphasized the importance of tying recognition to broader peace efforts. “If we are to see an end to the war and famine in Gaza and the return of the hostages, the recognition of a Palestinian state — conditioned on the disarmament of Hamas and security guarantees for both Israel and Palestine — must be part of this process,” she said.
More Pro-Palestinian Moves Expected
Democratic lawmakers say this letter is just the beginning. In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, they anticipate a wave of similar pro-Palestinian initiatives in Congress over the coming months.
“As you know, there will be initiatives,” one House Democrat said. “The situation in the region is so horrific you just can’t ignore it.”
