Petition opposing Hakeem Jeffries as US House Speaker passes one million signatures

More than a million people have signed a petition urging Democrats to reject Hakeem Jeffries as the next Speaker of the US House of Representatives, as growing opposition to his leadership puts his support for Israel and US foreign policy under renewed scrutiny.

Jeffries, who currently leads the House Democrats, is expected to become the first Black Speaker when the new Congress convenes in January, after the Democrats' sweeping midterm victories on 3 November.

But Jeffries is not the Speaker-elect yet. He confirmed his candidacy last week, but his colleagues must elect him later this month. Jeffries stands currently uncontested, with no other Democratic lawmaker throwing their hat in the ring for the position.