1/3 of US Senate Dems demand ‘bold’ action toward Palestinian state
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The letter to Biden follows Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent speech, where he criticized Netanyahu's handling of the aggression on Gaza.
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US Senate candidates, from left, Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Republican Steve Garvey stand on stage during a televised debate in Los Angeles on Jan. 22, 2024. (AP)
Over a third of the US Senate Democrats urged President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday to take "bold" steps toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objections.
The letter to Biden follows Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent speech, where he criticized Netanyahu's handling of the aggression on Gaza and called for new Israeli elections, causing significant impact.
Nineteen Democratic Senators, led by Tom Carper from Delaware, a close ally of Biden, stated in the letter that the situation in the Middle East had reached a critical juncture, necessitating more actions that extend beyond facilitating talks.
"As such, we request the Biden administration promptly establish a bold, public framework outlining the steps necessary" to establish a Palestinian state over both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Senators wrote.
The Senators proposed the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that would be "non-militarized," a term previously used by former President Bill Clinton two decades ago. Any such state would be required to recognize "Israel" and renounce Hamas.
Additionally, the Senators advocated for a "regional peace initiative" that would involve integrating "Israel", hinting at ongoing efforts to persuade Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with "Israel". This initiative was highlighted during Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to the Kingdom.
Biden and Blinken have consistently expressed backing for a two-state solution but made limited progress in promoting it before the current aggression on Gaza, allegedly recognizing Netanyahu and his hard-right government's staunch opposition to the concept.
The Senators expressed their disappointment with Netanyahu's reluctance to pursue a path toward a Palestinian state. They emphasized the significance of the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Biden and his administration thus far while urging them to intensify their actions in this regard.
House Speaker shows strong support for Netanyahu
The letter also garnered signatures from notable Democrats such as Dick Durbin, the party's second-in-command, and Chris Coons, Delaware's other senator and a close advisor to Biden. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not sign the letter, he expressed his endorsement for a two-state solution during his address.
Benjamin Netanyahu, who holds the record as the Israeli occupation's prime minister with the longest tenure, has fostered tight connections with the Republican Party, the main opposition to President Biden's Democrats.
Donald Trump, the likely Republican candidate for the upcoming November election and a fervent supporter of Israeli policies during his presidency, is a notable figure in this alliance.
On Wednesday, Mike Johnson, the leading Republican in the US and the Speaker, revealed that he had an extensive phone conversation with Netanyahu, during which he voiced his "strong disagreement" with the criticisms made by Schumer in his recent address.
"We think it is not only foolhardy, it's dangerous for him to be trying to suggest how Israel should run its domestic affairs in the midst of their conflict," Johnson told reporters afterward.
Netanyahu in a CNN interview on Sunday called Schumer's speech "totally inappropriate", saying "Israel" was not a "banana republic."
This is occurring as the genocidal war in Gaza led by "Israel" persists, resulting in the killing of 31,923 Palestinians in less than six months.
Read next: 'Israel' urges US silence on 'two-state solution': Officials
