Official letter: 46 Democratic senators urge Trump to recognize the State of Palestine

Dozens of Democrats in the US House of Representatives have signed a letter addressed to US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the administration to recognize the state of Palestine, according to sources familiar with the Guardian.

The letter, spearheaded by California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, has 46 signatures and will be delivered to the US president on Friday, according to plans seen by the Guardian. The delivery of the letter will coincide with the conclusion of the UN General Assembly this week, where France has joined a growing group of US allies, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, in calling for the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.

The letter reads: "Palestinian lives must be protected immediately. Their rights as a people and a nation must also be recognized and upheld urgently. We encourage the governments of other countries that have not yet recognized the state of Palestine, including the US, to do so as well."

Khanna was joined in signing the letter by a number of progressives in the House of Representatives, including Congressman Greg Casar of Texas, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington, and Congresswoman Maxwell Frost of Florida. The letter calls for adopting the same framework laid out by French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year to "ensure Israel's security," which includes "the disarmament and transfer of control of Gaza to Hamas," as well as working with the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, Arab allies, and Israel to ensure this.

Khanna stated that the letter represents a "crucial test" for the Democratic Party and any Democratic candidate. He added, "The lawmakers in his party who are reluctant to sign are completely out of touch with our base, our Democratic constituents, completely out of touch with the younger generation, and completely out of touch with the world." He said he was "surprised" by the number of signatures on the letter, and is confident it will increase by Friday. He added, "We expect to exceed 50 signatures."