Read the scathing letter sent to Anthony Albanese by Trump allies over his ‘reckless’ plan to recognise a Palestinian state – as the PM touches down in the US
Donald Trump’s allies have warned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that if he refuses to abandon his plan to recognise a Palestinian state, he will be punished.
Albanese landed in New York on Sunday morning AEST ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, which kicks off his 11-day trip to the US.
During the meeting, he is due to formally recognise Palestinian statehood along with Western allies from the UK, France, and Canada.
But, the day before his plane touched down, 25 top Republicans published an open letter criticising the policy, with US President Donald Trump cc’d in.
‘This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,’ they wrote in the letter on Friday addressed to Albanese, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK PM Keir Starmer and Canadian leader Mark Carney.
‘It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.
‘Accordingly, we respectfully request that you reconsider your decision, especially as Hamas continues to hold Israeli citizens hostage while still refusing to agree to a ceasefire.’
The irate politicians, who included former presidential candidate Ted Cruz, threatened serious consequences if the leaders followed through on their promise.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has been told to abandon his plan to recognise Palestinian statehood next week in New York
Albanese was named in a scorching letter from 25 irate US politicians who warned that nations who recognised a Palestinian state would ruin peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas
‘Proceeding with recognition will put your country at odds with long-standing US policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response,’ they said.
‘The United States is committed to Israel’s security and to fostering a just and lasting peace in the Middle East through direct negotiations.
‘Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state jeopardises this process. It risks perpetuating tensions and rewarding terrorist entities that seek Israel’s destruction.’
The group also claimed that, by recognising Palestinian statehood, the countries’ leaders were reinforcing Hamas’ ‘violence and rogue behaviour’.
They also referenced the increasing ‘anti-Semitic activity’ as another reason for opposing the proposal.
‘Jews are facing unprecedented harassment and attacks against them are becoming a common occurrence,’ they said.
‘You have the responsibility to stand against this scourge, denounce violence, and protect Jewish communities.
‘Sadly, your actions to legitimise a Palestinian terror state will only provide greater motivation to the violent anti-Semitic mobs.’
Albanese was due to make the monumental commitment alongside the UK, Canada and France during a meeting of the UN General Assembly (pictured, the United Nations Security Council)
The senators and members of Congress then copied president Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio into the correspondence.
The letter comes just weeks after Albanese announced his intention to recognise the region’s statehood on the condition the Palestinian Authority met certain requirements.
These commitments include the terrorist group Hamas playing no role in the state’s future, free elections being held and demilitarisation of the region.
Albanese also called for the return of the October 7 hostages.
He said he had made the move as part of a ‘coordinated global effort’ after speaking to leaders from the UK, France, New Zealand and Japan.
The Prime Minister said he also discussed the issue with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
But Albanese made the announcement before speaking to Trump, who has since criticised the decision.
US Ambassador to Israel and former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee told ABC’s 7.30 in August that Trump had shared his confusion with Australia’s foreign policy.
When Albanese announced his plan in August, Donald Trump is understood to have shared his ‘disgust’ at the decision and questioned Australia’s foreign policy
‘There’s an enormous level of disappointment and some disgust,’ the ambassador said.
‘I don’t know that the president used that word, [but] I would say that is a characterisation of a sentiment.
‘I think it does express the emotional sentiment, a sense of, ‘You’ve got to be kidding… why would they be doing this?’.’
Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon also claimed at the time of Albanese’s announcement that ‘peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it’.
‘By recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel’s security, derails hostage negotiations and hands a victory to those who oppose coexistence,’ he said.
The US holds the power to veto any United Nations Security Council resolution to recognise Palestine as a state.
During his visit to the US, Albanese is also expected to seek his first face-to-face meeting with Trump.
The two leaders have spoken on the phone four times since Trump re-entered the White House in January but they failed to meet in person at the G7 summit in June.
However, there has been no confirmation that officials from either country have organised a meeting, with Trump’s focus seemingly on a sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea late next month.
