To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate

PRESIDENT OBAMA: ACCEPT THE STATE OF PALESTINE

We join with Palestinian leaders and organizations and Israeli public figures in calling for recognition of the state of Palestine alongside Israel, living in peace and security for both people. Already 135 United Nations member states (70%) have recognized the state of Palestine, and other states now are considering doing so. Recognition of Palestine is a step toward resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict that is in the best interest of the United States and the community of nations.

Why is this important?

This petition asks the United States to follow the call by over one hundred Palestinian leaders and organizations and almost one thousand Israeli public figures for recognition of the state of Palestine alongside Israel, living in peace and security for both people. Already 135 United Nations member states (70%) have recognized the state of Palestine, and European and other states now are considering doing so.

The drive for recognition of the state of Palestine is being led by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and is supported by a majority of the Palestinian people who are citizens of Israel, and those living in the occupied territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

Recognition of Palestine is a step toward resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, although it will not resolve the conflict. Rather it is a symbolic action to show support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and freedom from occupation, and sends a message to the Israeli and United States governments that occupation must end in a way that all people in the region have political, civil, and human rights.

For that and other reasons, recognition of Palestine is in the best interest of the United States and the community of nations.

This petition calls upon the President and government of the United States to recognize the state of Palestine and accept Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.

A strong showing of support for Palestinian recognition among Americans is especially important as the Obama Administration considers how it will act when Palestinian membership and the Israel-Palestine issue are debated in the U.N. Security Council over the next several months. We must do all we can to prevent an American veto of Palestinian recognition.