19 Senate Democrats call on Biden to make major step toward Palestinian state

• Published date: 20 March 2024
• Author: HANNAH SARISOHN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The Palestinian state includes the West Bank and Gaza, the letter said

"Given the severity of the current crisis, this moment requires determined US leadership that must move beyond facilitation," the Senators wrote.

In the letter, the senators highlighted three overarching parameters the US should establish.

1. "A set of governmental and institutional reforms to the Palestinian Authority, among them reforms to democracy and governance, including: Reforms to the education system; Reforms to the judicial and security systems; Reforms to the prisoner payments program; and Concerted efforts to combat corruption and incitement to violence."

2. "A requirement for the reformed Palestinian Authority, as the governing body of the WestBank and Gaza, to reaffirm its recognition of the State of Israel."

3. "A mandate within the reformed Palestinian Authority for government ministers andsenior officials to commit to nonviolence, accept the principles of two states - an Israeli and a Palestinian state - and renounce Hamas and all terrorist activity."

The senators expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying his refusal to engage on a path to a Palestinian state gives the Biden administration more reason to lead and push the Israeli government to take specific actions.

The letter called for Biden to take effective action against West Bank settler violence, end home demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their property, stop settlement planning and construction in the West Bank, release customs revenues to the PA and reactive permits for Palestinian workers from the West Bank to enter Israel.

The senators said...