Republicans warn Western allies of ‘punitive measures’ if they recognize ‘Palestine’

The letter sent to Canada, France, the UK and Australia said the move would show that violence, not diplomacy, achieves political aims.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

A group of 25 Republicans sent a letter Friday warning Western allies of “punitive measures” if they recognize “Palestine” as they have announced they would do in the United Nations this week at the opening of the General Assembly.

House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Rick Scott, told the leaders of Canada, France, the UK and Australia, “This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace.”

“It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims,” the Republican leaders wrote on behalf of 12 representatives and 13 senators.

“Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state undermines the principles of direct negotiation and imperils Israel’s security by removing incentives for Palestinian groups to repudiate terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and address final-status issues,” they added.

Such recognition contradicts “long-standing U.S. policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response,” the letter warned, without specifying what those measures could be.

The letter also noted that all four countries lost citizens among the 1,200 massacred by Hamas and other terrorist forces on Oct. 7, 2023, that Hamas still holds dozens of hostages “as bargaining chips,” and that recognizing “Palestine” will do “nothing” to secure their release.

“Hamas’ war crimes are clear and its rejection of diplomacy should lead your countries to impose more pressure. Instead, you offer greater rewards,” they wrote, calling this move “absurd” and “misguided.”

They also warned it endangers their allies’ Jewish communities, which are facing “unprecedented harassment and attacks.”

“Sadly, your actions to legitimize a Palestinian terror state will only provide greater motivation to the violent antisemitic mobs.”

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen dismissed the warning on Sunday.

“While everyone is entitled to their views, we will determine Australian foreign policy, not anyone else,” he told ABC’s Insiders program.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said recognition was “predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority (PA).”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said those commitments include governance reform, ending prisoner payments, instituting schooling reform, demilitarizing and holding elections.

But the PA has yet to implement any of these changes.

U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner flagged the same problem in a post on X on Friday.

“These were France’s own conditions for recognition of a Palestinian state,” he wrote, listing accepting Israel as a Jewish State, demilitarizing Hamas, committing to negotiations and establishing real governance.

“How can France move forward with next week’s vote when none of these have been met?” he asked.

AustraliaCanadaElise StefanikFrancePalestinian StateUN General Assembly