WASHINGTON: More than a third of the US Senate’s Democrats called on President Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday to take “bold” action toward establishing a Palestinian state, in the latest pushback against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
More than a third of the US Senate’s Democrats have penned a letter to President Joe Biden, urging his administration to take decisive action towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. This call comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and represents a notable challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies.
Creation of Palestinian State Encompassing West Bank and Gaza Strip
Led by Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, nineteen Democratic senators emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the ongoing crisis necessitates a departure from past approaches. They pleaded the Biden administration to immediately outline a comprehensive framework for the creation of a Palestinian state encompassing both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The proposed Palestinian state, as outlined in the letter, would be non-militarized and would formally recognize Israel. This mirrors former President Bill Clinton’s terminology from two decades ago during his peace efforts in the region.
While both Biden and Blinken have expressed support for a two-state solution, the letter signals a renewed push within the Democratic Party for tangible progress on this front. Despite previous reluctance from the Netanyahu government, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to act amid the fallout from the recent Gaza war.
Notably absent from the letter was Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who, despite not being a signatory, has also voiced support for a two-state solution in his recent remarks. The letter’s signatories include other prominent Democratic figures such as Dick Durbin, the party’s number two in the Senate, and Chris Coons, a close confidant of President Biden.
