House democrats push Trump to recognize Palestinian state: Axios reports

More than a dozen House Democrats have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to formally recognize a Palestinian state, with one lawmaker planning to introduce a resolution supporting Palestinian statehood, Axios reported on Sunday.

The letter, spearheaded by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), reflects growing momentum among Democrats as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens.

Lawmakers cite the scale of suffering, including reports of famine and forced starvation, as a driving factor behind the renewed calls for Palestinian self-determination.

“This tragic moment has highlighted for the world the long overdue need to recognize Palestinian self-determination,” reads the letter addressed to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a copy obtained by Axios.

Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) recently joined the initiative, alongside nine earlier signatories including Reps. Greg Casar, Lloyd Doggett, Veronica Escobar, Maxwell Frost, Al Green, Jared Huffman, Mark Pocan, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and André Carson, one of three Muslim members of Congress.

The letter follows a similar call from French President Emmanuel Macron, who pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming UN meeting in September. The US remains unlikely to shift its position under Trump, who has maintained a strong alliance with "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Axios. 

Khanna told Axios the response to his outreach had been “overwhelming,” adding that recognition should come in alignment with the Arab League’s newly passed two-state plan, which includes recognition of "Israel" as a Jewish democratic state.

Rep. Watson Coleman said in a statement: “If we're to see an end to war, famine, and the return of hostages, the recognition of a Palestinian state, contingent on the disarmament of Hamas and security guarantees for both Israel and Palestine, must be a part of that process.”

The push marks a notable shift in congressional sentiment. Only five Democrats supported a similar resolution introduced in 2023 by Rep. Green affirming Palestine’s right to exist. Now, the number has nearly tripled.

Rep. Green told Axios he intends to reintroduce his resolution this session, pending staff consultations on the language. Lawmakers also hinted that more pro-Palestinian initiatives are expected in the weeks ahead.

“You know there will be,” said one House Democrat. “The situation is too awful not to have more.”