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Supporters of Donald Trump have cautioned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that he will face repercussions if he does not withdraw his intention to acknowledge a Palestinian state.
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.
Just before Albanese’s arrival, a group of 25 prominent Republicans issued an open letter denouncing the policy, with US President Donald Trump also being notified.
In their letter on Friday, addressed to Albanese, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian leader Mark Carney, they stated, “This is a perilous policy that threatens the prospects for peace.”
The letter mentioned that such a stance could set a worrisome example that violence, rather than diplomacy, becomes the swiftest tool for militant groups like Hamas to pursue their agendas.
They earnestly urged the reconsideration of this decision, emphasizing the need for this reflection especially since Hamas is holding Israeli citizens while rejecting a truce.
The upset figures, which included Ted Cruz, a former presidential contender, implied potential severe impacts if these leaders proceeded with their plans.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pictured with his fiancee Jodie Haydon after landing in New York, has been told to abandon his plan to recognise Palestinian statehood
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, )pictured in New York) was due to make the monumental commitment alongside the UK, Canada and France during a meeting of the UN General Assembly
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.
