Ask Biden to recognize officially the State of Palestine and get back our hostages

[David Boyle]

The Gaza war goes on, with, sadly, Israelis and Palestinians (and Americans) suffering/held hostage/dying. What can we do? (And I'd recommend not taking revenge on the Uncommitted movement or other non-supporters of Kamala, cf. the recent General Discussion post "After All Of Their Disrespect, They Are Now Begging For Joe Biden's Help!!" re Gaza etc., at https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219721180 .)

This post isn't recommending or discussing an arms embargo, but rather. mentioning a much more moderate and long-term option. Of course, it's longtime U.S. policy to support a two-state solution, but we haven't formally recognized the State of Palestine yet -- even though the Vatican, to name one party, did so back in 2015.
On that note, see the June 2024 David Hoffman The Hill article, "US recognition of a Palestinian state could change everything", at https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4718181-us-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-could-change-everything/ , saying that if

"the United States were to recognize a Palestinian state, it would be a political tsunami that would likely topple Netanyahu’s extremist government, as a majority of Israelis are clamoring for... With a likely cease fire, the return of hostages, and prospects of a regional rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia... It would be the bold, decisive act that would secure President Biden’s place in history."

Indeed, while formal recognition may be good in itself, it may also help in getting out our 7 American hostages held by Hamas: 4 live ones, Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel, and the remains of 3 more, Itay Chen, Gad Haggai, and Judy Weinstein, of blessed memory, z”l, ז״ל. (Maybe even help release all the other hostages)

So, here are links for you to contact Joe Biden and Kamala Harris:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/vicepresident/

Here's even a short template for you (tweak as you will):

"Dear President Biden [or Vice President Harris], please have the White House immediately officially recognize the State of Palestine, as the Vatican did in 2015. This may help bring justice for Palestine, relieve Israel of the burden of occupation, and create goodwill for America leading to the release of the seven U.S. hostages, and hopefully all hostages, in Gaza. You would be courageous and right to create Mideast justice and get back our hostages now, rather than leave it to Donald Trump's questionable competence.
Thank you,
Sincerely, [you]"

If the U.S. recognized Palestine, then Great Britain and many other countries may do the same thing. (And the more nations recognize Palestine, Trump may be more reluctant to de-recognize it.)
Moreover, if the U.S. recognizes Palestine, as have the Vatican and so many others, everyone may benefit, including Israel, who would eventually be free from occupying dangerous land in Palestine and losing more soldiers and antagonizing world opinion. (Of course, decent people also support Israel's right to be free from terrorism; may the horror of October 7 never happen again.)

That's it. We may all feel held hostage by Trump, but you can persuade Biden to take steps which may free our 7 Gaza hostages and make the two-state solution happen. God bless America, and the Mideast.

[David Boyle]

1. Again, this post isn't asking for an arms embargo, or even a ceasefire

Of course, if you write the White House, you can ask for, or condemn, an arms embargo, or a ceasefire. Or say whatever you want.

I'm keeping it sort of minimal for my part: officially recognize Palestine, get out the hostages. May even work.

[keithbvadu2]

2. Hamas says they don't know where all the hostages are. They kill one every so often. They know.

[David Boyle]

3. They're not nice people

But, unfortunately, even bad people may have to be negotiated with.

[David Boyle]

4. Shalom, salaam, see you later in a better place for us all

I tried to make this post respectful to people on many different sides, and with an option of moving our government to do something productive; of course, if people prefer a "F&%$ you if you were with the Uncommitted movement" message, I guess they prefer that. It doesn't seem productive to me, though.

[tritsofme]

5. Who would lead this so-called state?

Abbas, the “president” of the PA, now in year 17 of his 5 year term?

Hamas perhaps? They are the elected government of Gaza, and would be the odds-on favorites to win any new elections held in the Palestinian territories today.

And frankly, they should not be rewarded with such recognition after waging the 10/7 attacks, it will demonstrate that brutal terrorism serves their political ends.

This is definitely not going to happen, thankfully.

[David Boyle]

6. New blood happens

Netanyahu may not be optimal leadership, but there are other Israelis.

Too, Palestinian leadership has often been disappointing, but that doesn't mean that no leaders could possibly exist.

People may have doubted that Israel could be a viable state too...

[tritsofme]

7. Doesn't that need to be resolved before there is a "state"? Or is this recognition more just akin to a participation

trophy? And really just more performative than anything else?

[David Boyle]

9. Interesting observations

Once again, many countries have recognized Palestine.

Is there a performative element? Maybe. That doesn't mean recognition is meaningless, though. (The "participation trophy" jab is amusing, but maybe recognition's more meaningful than that...)

[David Boyle]

8. Too, "so-called state" may be deemed insulting

The Vatican managed to take a Palestinian state seriously.

And if such a state should have existed anyway, it's not rewarding Hamas to recognize Palestine. David Hoffman, who may not be a Palestinian (?), didn't seem to have a problem with recognition.

Finally, as for "This is definitely not going to happen, thankfully.", predicting the future doesn't always work...

[Eko]

10. I like it.

I support this.

[David Boyle]

11. Thanks so much!

Again, it's minimalist: no call for arms embargo or even a ceasefire, though people can make those "add-ons" if desired.