Almost All Senate Democrats Sign Amendment Supporting Palestinian Statehood

All but two Senate Democrats signed on to bill language Wednesday that would reaffirm U.S. support for a Palestinian state at the conclusion of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The amendment, attached to a broader national security package that would provide emergency aid to Ukraine and Israel, would reiterate U.S. backing for a “comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.”

“Such a solution must ensure the state of Israel’s survival as a secure, democratic and Jewish state, and fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own,” the amendment goes on.

Only two Democrats did not sign on: centrist Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

A Fetterman spokesperson told Axios the senator “strongly supports a two-state solution … and always has.” But the aide added that Fetterman “strongly believes that this resolution should include language stipulating the destruction of Hamas as a precondition to peace.”

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the amendment text shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently rejected any statehood for Palestinians at war’s end. His far-right government has contended a two-state solution would compromise Israel’s security, and Netanyahu said this month he told President Joe Biden as much.

“I told this truth to our friends, the Americans, and I also blocked the attempt to impose a reality that would harm Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said at a news conference. “The prime minister needs to be able to say no, even to our best friends.”

Schatz said Israel’s stance “accelerated” Democrats’ efforts to reaffirm