Last week, Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led a group of 23 lawmakers in sending a letter to the leaders of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France. The letter urged these countries to reconsider any plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In their message addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Australia), Prime Minister Mark Carney (Canada), President Emmanuel Macron (France), and Prime Minister Keir Starmer (United Kingdom), the lawmakers expressed concern that such recognition would contradict established U.S. policy and interests. They argued it would also reward terrorism by Hamas and destabilize prospects for peace.
“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. 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,” wrote Scott, Stefanik, and their colleagues.
The letter emphasized that unilateral recognition could harm Israel’s security by removing incentives for Palestinian groups to renounce terrorism or engage in direct negotiations with Israel. The lawmakers cited the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas as evidence of ongoing threats: “Recognition is especially troubling considering Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre. We remind you that France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, along with countless other countries, all lost citizens on this tragic day. Hamas continues to hold Israeli, and other foreign nationals, hostage… Those hostages still alive are being held in deplorable conditions.”
They warned that recognizing Palestinian statehood without preconditions might further embolden violence: “Granting statehood under these conditions only reinforces the effectiveness of Hamas’ violence and rogue behavior. Until the Palestinians are willing to take responsibility for their people, renounce terrorism, and come to the negotiating table in good faith, there can be no steppingstone toward statehood.”
The lawmakers also connected proposed recognition efforts with rising antisemitism globally: “Proposed recognition is coinciding with sharp increases in antisemitic activity in each of your countries. Jews are facing unprecedented harassment and attacks against them are becoming a common occurrence… your actions to legitimize a Palestinian terror state will only provide greater motivation to the violent antisemitic mobs.”
Finally, they cautioned that proceeding with recognition would place those countries at odds with U.S. policy and could lead to punitive measures: “Proceeding with recognition will put your country at odds with long-standing U.S. policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response.”
The letter concludes by urging reconsideration of unilateral recognition ahead of discussions at the United Nations General Assembly.
