The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: Western Allies Formally Recognize A Palestinian State. The U.S. Won't.
Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts/Guests: Danielle Kurtzleben, Frank Ordonez, Greg Myhre

Main Theme

This episode examines the diplomatic split between the United States and several of its traditional Western allies, including the UK, Canada, France, and Australia, over the formal recognition of a Palestinian state. The hosts discuss what such recognition means, the practical and symbolic impacts, the US administration's stance, the reactions from Israel and Palestinian groups, and what these moves signal about shifting dynamics in global foreign policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Recognition Means – and Why Now? (01:05)

• Greg Myhre explains that the US and Israel historically insisted on negotiations to precede recognition of a Palestinian state. These negotiations would decide crucial details—borders, security, the status of Jerusalem.

  "Israel and the US have always said that negotiations must come first... Once you get an agreement and want this grand deal, then the Palestinians would get a state and Israel would have security." — Greg Myhre (01:36)

• Recently, some Western countries are taking the opposite approach: first recognizing a Palestinian state, hoping this symbolic move pushes forward a real solution, even if practical aspects remain unresolved.

• Historical Context: The Oslo Accords in the 1990s attempted to move toward statehood through incremental negotiation—a process that broke down in 2000 and has not recovered since.

2. Symbolism vs. Reality (03:06)

• Although recognition is pointedly symbolic (as a Palestinian state lacks clear borders or a functioning unified government), more than 150 countries now support recognition at least "in principle." Greg notes this paradox:

  “Symbolically, we seem to be getting closer to a Palestinian state than we’ve ever been before... But in practical terms, we seem to be moving further and further away from it.” — Greg Myhre (04:43)

3. US Policy and Presidential Position (03:32, 03:55)

• The Trump administration rejects the European approach, arguing recognition rewards Hamas after the October 7 attacks on Israel, reiterating demand for hostages' release prior to any political process.

  "This is kind of a gift, kind of rewards them for taking hostages... Trump wants the hostages released first, and that is something that this morning he pressed allies to focus on together." — Frank Ordonez (03:55)

• The US maintains its strong, historical alliance with Israel—a position seen under both Trump and previous (Democratic) administrations.

• Trump’s rhetorical stance: despite disagreements with allies, he avoids public confrontations with leaders like the British Prime Minister, suggesting a more diplomatic approach than in his first term.

  "Trump did say that he disagreed with the UK’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, but he was very clear and very forceful to say that this is one of the very few things that they disagreed on." — Frank Ordonez (07:25)

4. Israel's Response (10:07)

• Israel’s government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is adamantly opposed to a Palestinian state under current conditions.
  • They insist negotiations come before recognition—an approach allowing them to “hold all the cards” due to their greater power and on-the-ground control.
  • Netanyahu is now threatening responses, including potentially annexing parts of the West Bank, a step Israel has so far avoided.

  "They always find a reason not to negotiate. This has been, I think, particularly true during the Netanyahu administration... He says flat out now that he won’t allow the creation of a Palestinian state." — Greg Myhre (11:19)

5. Palestinian Perspectives and Challenges (06:35)

• While ordinary Palestinians might welcome international recognition, the Hamas leadership has never accepted Israel's right to exist and is unlikely to embrace recognition deals that include this condition.

  “The underlying assumption is a Palestinian state would be recognized, but it would also recognize the legitimacy of Israel. And that’s something that Hamas has never done.” — Greg Myhre (06:35)

6. US Leverage—and Limits—on Israel (12:14)

• Despite its global influence and historic leverage with Israel, the Trump administration is unlikely to use its power to force a change in Israel’s conduct regarding the war in Gaza.

  • Recent incidents, like an Israeli operation in Qatar, drew only muted admonishments.

  "Trump is only willing to go so far... He was soon defending Israel on opposing Palestinian statehood." — Frank Ordonez (12:44)

  • Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington isn’t expected to be tense; a united front is anticipated.

  "I don’t expect it to be a difficult meeting. I think you’re going to see a lot of camaraderie... particularly on this issue of opposing, you know, statehood of the Palestinians." — Frank Ordonez (13:34)

• Trump administration isn’t focused on postwar resolutions or a two-state solution, as prior US governments had been.

  "Trump and his administration really hasn't been talking about that at all." — Greg Myhre (13:48)

7. A Changing Global Order (15:11)

• The US’s reluctance to lead on issues like Ukraine and Gaza, paired with divergent stances among Western allies, signals a shift in international order.

  • The traditional “post-WWII order led by the United States is breaking down”—more countries are acting independently.
  • Trump's approach to foreign affairs is “very involved, but on his terms... not on multilateral terms, not on European terms.” — Frank Ordonez (16:33)

  "The Trump administration, like other US administrations, Republican and Democratic, has been very strongly supportive of Israel. So that’s not new... But previous administrations have spoken openly about the desire for a two state solution... That’s just not what we’re hearing for the Trump administration." — Greg Myhre (15:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Recognition and Negotiation:

  "First you recognize a Palestinian state, and then you can work out the details later." — Greg Myhre (01:36)

• On International Pressure vs. Reality:

  “We can’t want peace more than the parties themselves. You can’t force-feed it on them.” (Paraphrasing former Secretary of State Jim Baker) — Greg Myhre (05:40)

• On Trump’s Relationship with Allies:

  "...European leaders have learned how to get on Trump’s good side through the use of flattery and gifts, especially very flashy ones like Royal Carriage Rides." — Frank Ordonez (07:55)

• US Global Role Evolves:

  “He wants to be very involved in international affairs... What is very different, though, is that he wants to do it on his terms and not on multilateral terms, not on European terms.” — Frank Ordonez (16:33)

Important Segment Timestamps

• History and meaning of recognizing a Palestinian state: (01:05–03:23)
• Trump’s position at the UN, criticism of European allies: (03:32–03:55)
• Practical vs. symbolic value of recognition: (04:43–05:47)
• Reasons behind US support for Israel, Trump’s approach: (05:55–07:25)
• Trump’s careful disagreement with European leaders: (07:25–08:28)
• Israel’s response and possible annexation moves: (10:07–12:14)
• Humanitarian crisis in Gaza and US leverage: (12:14–14:34)
• Bigger picture: US’s shifting global leadership role: (15:11–17:32)

Conclusion

This episode highlights a widening gap between the US and its closest allies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Western partners move to recognize Palestinian statehood, the Trump administration remains firmly aligned with Israel and deeply skeptical that recognition leads to peace, viewing it as rewarding Hamas. The discussion underscores increasingly fractured Western consensus on major foreign policy issues and a US role that is assertive, but less multilateral and more transactional under Trump. The practical value of recognition remains limited amidst ongoing violence and intransigence from both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

For listeners seeking a compact but thorough primer on the recognition debate, the US political context, and evolving Western diplomacy, this episode offers succinct explanations and candid analysis from NPR’s top politics and security reporters.