Will America recognize a Palestinian state?

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.

Map of Israel and Palestine with a terms and conditions check box
What's the path forward for Palestinian statehood?
(Image credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / The Week)

The Israel-Hamas war could end with a dramatic development: The formal U.S. recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Axios reported, has asked staffers to review policy options "on possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state" at the conclusion of the Gaza war. It's a "highly sensitive" topic, given that longstanding U.S. policy has favored statehood for the Palestinians only after "direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." That's unlikely to happen soon: Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu is "vehemently" opposed to statehood.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.