A group of Senate Democrats are calling on the United States government to recognize a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure state of Israel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nonbinding resolution<\/u><\/a> was introduced Thursday by Sen. Jeff Merkley\u2002<\/u><\/a>(D-Ore.), the first of its kind in the Senate, as the pressure rises on Israel over its nearly two-year military siege against Palestinian militant group Hamas, designated as a foreign terrorist group by the U.S. government, in the Gaza Strip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRecognition of a Palestinian state is not only a practical step the United States can take to help build a future where Palestinians and Israelis can live in freedom, dignity, and security, but it is the right thing to do. America has a responsibility to lead, and the time to act is now,\u201d Merkley said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The resolution, which is unlikely to advance in the GOP-controlled Senate, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages and an influx of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut then, a foundation for peace and prosperity for the future\u2014and the only viable path for that is two states for two peoples,\u201d the Oregon senator said. \u201cThe goal of a Palestinian state can\u2019t be put off any longer if we want the next generation to avoid suffering from the same insecurity and affliction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the U.S.\u2019s closest allies<\/u><\/a>, including Canada, the United Kingdom and France, have recently said they intend to recognize Palestinian statehood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n President Trump said he disagreed with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer\u2002<\/u><\/a>on recognizing an independent Palestinian state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want it to end. We have to have the hostages back immediately. That\u2019s what the people of Israel want,\u201d the president said<\/u><\/a>. \u201cThey want them back. And we want the fighting to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,\u201d Trump added. \u201cOne of our few disagreements, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merkley\u2019s resolution was co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Md.), Tim Kaine\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Va.), Peter Welch\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Vt.), Tina Smith\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Minn.), Tammy Baldwin\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Wisc.), Mazie Hirono\u2002<\/u><\/a>(Hawaii) and Bernie Sanders\u2002<\/u><\/a>(I-Vt.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanders became<\/u><\/a> the first senator on Wednesday to accuse Israel of committing a \u201cgenocide\u201d in Gaza, accusations that the Jewish state has long denied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The measure was introduced days ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, where other U.S. allies are set to recognize the Palestinian state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Merkley, along with Van Hollen, accused<\/u><\/a> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2002<\/u><\/a>of overseeing a campaign of \u201cethnic cleansing\u201d against Palestinians in Gaza earlier this month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamas ignited the war in the region after killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking some 250 hostages during their Oct. 7 attack. Since then, the Israeli military has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The tally does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel believes there are just under 50 hostages held by Hamas and that about 20 are still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n