A group of 19 U.S. Senators are requesting that the Biden administration initiate the process to “promptly,” "recognize a nonmilitarized Palestinian state" in the West Bank and Gaza. The participants represent more than one third of the Democratic caucus in the legislative chamber.
Led by Sen. Tom Carper from Delaware, the lawmakers made their intentions known in a joint letter that they released on Wednesday. Two of the signatories, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, are facing what appear to be competitive elections in November.
Included in the communication was a demand that the presumed leaders of this new nation, the Palestinian Authority, undergo institutional reforms to address past corruption and support for terrorism.
Notably missing from the list of endorsers was Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has been a longtime critic of the Jewish state.
The letter arrives amidst White House warnings directed at Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, concerning his proposed military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Moreover, last week saw a demand from Charles Schumer, the Democratic floor leader from New York, for a new Israeli government.
Officials in Jerusalem have called any attempt to form a Palestinian state in the wake of the October 7 massacre in southern Israel as being rewarding to the Hamas terrorist organization.
The demands of the Senators align with previous statements made by President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, both of whom have supported the creation of the country.
The additional backers of the plan were Sens. Tammy Baldwin (WI), Sherrod Brown (OH), Chris Coons (DE), Dick Durbin (IL), Martin Heinrich (NM), Mazie Hirono (HI), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Ed Markey (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Chris Murphy (CT), Brian Schatz (HI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Tina Smith (MN), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Raphael Warnock (GA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Peter Welch (VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI).
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