Democrats have introduced a first-of-its kind bill into the U.S. Senate to call on President Donald Trump to recognize a Palestinian state.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced a resolution Thursday calling on President Donald Trump to recognize a Palestinian state. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI UPI

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Democrats have introduced a first-of-its kind bill into the U.S. Senate to call on President Donald Trump to recognize a Palestinian state.

The non-binding resolution, unveiled Thursday by Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon specifically, calls on the president to recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine that is consistent with the principle of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It also reaffirms the principles of the two-state solution, while calling on the Iran-backed Hamas militant group to "end its campaign of terrorism."

In passing the bill, the Senate would be declaring that there is a "historic opportunity" to pursue a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

"Recognition of a Palestinian state is not only a practical step the United States can take to help build a future where Palestinians and Israelis can live in freedom, dignity and security, but it is the right thing to do," Merkley said in a statement.

"America has a responsibility to lead, and the time to act is now."

Though the resolution is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Congress, if it did, President Donald Trump, a staunch ally of Israel, would likely veto it.

However, it comes amid growing pressure on Israel over the continuing war in Gaza.

Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has all but destroyed Gaza's infrastructure and housing. Israel has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the enclave's ministry of health.

The strip is also experiencing a man-made famine. The ministry said 435 people, including 147 children, have died of malnutrition.

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated and the death toll climbed, several countries, including allies, have come to criticize at the very least Israel's methods of war.

Belgium, Slovenia, Norway, Spain, Australia, France, Britain, Canada and others have vowed amid Israel's war to recognize a Palestinian state during this month's United Nations General Assembly.

The European Union on Wednesday also proposed a package of punitive measures targeting Israel over the war.

It is also facing increasing allegations of war crimes and genocide, with an independent U.N. commission on Tuesday issuing a report that stated there is reasonable grounds to conclude Israel has committed four of the five punishable acts of genocide under the Genocide Convention.

Merkley, along with Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland released a report earlier this month following their August trip to Israel and the West Bank that accuses the Middle Eastern country of perpetuating ethnic cleansing.

Israel has rebuked calls to recognize a Palestinian state and dismissed criticism of its war as anti-Semitism and a political victory for Hamas.