Albanese faces Republican backlash over plan to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN General Assembly

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to formally recognise a Palestinian state alongside Western allies at the United Nations General Assembly, as he lands in New York for an 11-day trip to the United States. He is due to arrive Sunday morning Australian Eastern Standard Time ahead of the annual gathering that will include a coordinated nod to statehood with Britain, France and Canada. The recognition would mark a milestone in Australia’s foreign policy stance amid a regional crisis, with the plan framed as part of a broader international effort to advance peace negotiations in the Middle East.

A sharply worded reaction came from 25 Republican lawmakers who wrote an open letter to Albanese, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian leader Mark Carney, with former president Donald Trump cc’d. The open letter describes the move as a “reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace” and warns that recognition could undermine long-standing U.S. policy and invite punitive measures in response. It argues that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state could jeopardise direct negotiations between Israel and Hamas and reward violent groups that reject peace. The letter was signed by senators and members of Congress, including former presidential candidate Ted Cruz, and was copied to President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The timing matters because Albanese is scheduled to formalise recognition during a UN General Assembly meeting, alongside the United Kingdom, France and Canada, in a move he has described as part of a coordinated global effort. The Australian leader signalled the decision would only go ahead if the Palestinian Authority met a set of conditions intended to ensure the state’s future stability. Those include Hamas playing no role in the state, the holding of free elections, and a demilitarised security framework. Albanese also has called for the return of hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks as a political prerequisite for statehood talks.

The plan has sparked pushback from several quarters, including U.S. officials who argued that recognition would complicate negotiations and contravene longstanding American policy. In August, Albanese said the move would be part of a broader, coordinated effort after consultations with leaders in the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and Japan, and after discussions with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. reactions have been mixed. An ally-turned-critic stance was evident when former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticised Australia’s decision, and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, told ABC’s 7.30 that Trump had voiced dismay or disgust at the decision.

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon also weighed in, arguing that “peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it,” and saying that recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas remains armed undermines Israel’s security, derails hostage negotiations and signals to opponents of coexistence. The letter and public comments underscore the delicate political balance Albanese must navigate as he moves toward a potential first in-person meeting with Trump during the trip. While both leaders have spoken by phone several times since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year, there has been no confirmation of a scheduled meeting in New York. Trump’s recent public focus has been on a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea late next month, which could further complicate any direct engagement with Albanese during the UNGA gathering.

Observers note the United States retains substantial influence on the issue at the United Nations, including the ability to veto any resolution recognizing Palestine as a state at the Security Council. The dynamics of a potential Australian move, backed by a small group of Western allies, could further strain Canberra’s relationships with Washington if the policy signals a significant shift in regional dynamics. Albanese’s office has framed the recognition as part of a broader effort to advance peace through diplomacy and to support hostage negotiations, while reiterating Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution achieved through direct negotiations.

As the UNGA convenes, the world will watch whether the Australian plan proceeds despite the warning from the Republican letter and the warnings from U.S. allies about the potential implications for peace talks in the Middle East. The question remains whether the Australian government will recalibrate its stance in light of the bipartisan pushback and shifting priorities in Washington, or proceed with a move it says reflects a long-standing commitment to a two-state solution anchored in a stabilized and secure region.