Overview

• Eleven progressive House Democrats led by Rep. Ro Khanna have co-signed a draft letter to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio calling on the United States to formally recognize a Palestinian state
• The letter stipulates that U.S. recognition would require Palestine to fully acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and disarm Hamas before statehood is granted
• France, the United Kingdom and Canada have confirmed plans to recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September under similar conditions
• For the first time, Arab League members and Turkey have agreed in a New York Declaration to exclude Hamas from any future Palestinian government
• Japan has said it will continue reviewing its position due to its ties with the United States and Israel, while 147 of 193 UN member states already recognize Palestinian statehood