Recognizing the ongoing Nakba and Palestinian refugees' rights.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1289
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-28T20:48:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This non-binding resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives to formally recognize the Palestinian Nakba—an event described as the 1948 uprooting and displacement of Palestinians from their homes—and to affirm the rights of Palestinian refugees under international standards. It frames the Nakba as both a historical event and an ongoing process, while calling for adjustments in U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestinian refugees.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Commemorate the Nakba through official U.S. recognition and public remembrance.
- Denounce the ongoing Nakba, including Israel's actions such as home demolitions, settlement expansion, and displacement in Gaza and the West Bank.
- Reject any U.S. government involvement in denying the Nakba or questioning Palestinian identity.
- Promote education about the Nakba and its connection to other refugee situations.
- Resume U.S. financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide services to over 5.9 million Palestinian refugees.
- Support implementation of Palestinian refugees' rights as stated in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948), which calls for return or compensation, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Affirm that Palestinians are a distinct people with full human rights.
- End U.S. complicity by prohibiting American weapons from being used to destroy Palestinian homes or remove people from their land, and by halting diplomatic support for such actions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
As a House resolution rather than a bill, this measure does not amend any statutes or create new legal requirements. It instead proposes a policy shift by urging the executive branch to alter its approach to foreign aid, military support for Israel, and engagement with international bodies. This includes reversing the 2024 suspension of funding to UNRWA and reinterpreting U.S. obligations under existing international resolutions.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The State Department and Department of Defense could face pressure to revise arms transfer policies and diplomatic stances, potentially affecting military aid programs and relations with the United Nations.
- On citizens: It could encourage public education initiatives in schools and communities about the Nakba and refugee issues, while influencing domestic debates on foreign policy.
- On international relations: The resolution may strain U.S. ties with Israel, alter voting patterns in the United Nations, and impact U.S. involvement in Middle East peace efforts by emphasizing refugee return rights.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Palestinian refugees and their descendants, numbering over 7 million according to the resolution.
- The government and citizens of Israel.
- U.S. executive agencies responsible for foreign aid and diplomacy.
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
- International human rights organizations and advocacy groups focused on the region.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The resolution draws on international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations resolutions, to argue for refugee rights without creating enforceable domestic obligations.
- Politically, it highlights U.S. complicity in ongoing events and challenges long-standing bipartisan support for Israel, potentially leading to partisan divisions in Congress.
- Constitutionally, it falls within Congress's authority to issue non-binding policy statements but could influence executive branch actions under separation of powers.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-05-14: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the ongoing Nakba and Palestinian refugees’ rights. — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (7 pages)