Palestine statehood a ‘point of contention’ in US ties

US politicians person warned recognising Palestine could invitation ‘punitive measures’ arsenic the premier curate lands successful New York for a long-awaited UN meeting.

Australia has been urged not to disregard threats of “punitive measures” from top Republicans, arsenic the premier curate lands successful the US for 1 of his astir important diplomatic ventures.

Anthony Albanese arrived successful New York City connected Sunday greeting Australian clip up of a long-awaited United Nations General Assembly gathering where Australia, Canada, France and the UK will recognise the state of Palestine.

But hours earlier touchdown, a radical of top Republican legislature members and allies of Donald Trump issued an unfastened missive to the leaders of those nations warning designation “may invitation punitive measures”.

“This is something that very well could beryllium a constituent of contention betwixt the Albanese authorities and the Trump administration,” United States Studies Centre manager Jared Mondschein told AAP.

“It should not beryllium ignored.”

But that doesn’t mean Australia cannot stand its ground.

The UK’s overseas argumentation – similar Australia’s – has begun to diverge from the US aft decades of mostly moving successful fastener step with the world power.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been capable to work done his differences with the US president.

“I would not beryllium surprised if Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump are capable to flooded their differences of sentiment connected this substance too,” Mr Mondschein said.

Mr Albanese is hoping to unafraid his archetypal face-to-face gathering with Mr Trump, though talks person not yet been scheduled.

Some speculated the two could clasp discussions connected the weekend earlier the UN event, but this was dispelled when the president announced helium would be the ceremonial of right-wing American commentator Charlie Kirk connected Sunday successful Arizona.

There’s some uncertainty Mr Albanese will beryllium capable to unafraid a gathering with Donald Trump, during his visit. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS

The premier curate was owed to conscionable with the US president successful June during the G7 summit, but was near wanting when Mr Trump departed the lawsuit aboriginal to intervene successful escalating Middle East violence.

In the months since, a bilateral gathering has arguably go a lesser precedence for Mr Albanese.

The US successful August spared Australian goods from a tariff hike, leaving its products astatine the baseline 10 per cent – which is the lowest complaint levied against immoderate American trading partner.

But there is still overmuch to sermon that extends beyond the bilateral US-Australia relationship, similar the information situation and strategic contention successful the Pacific.

“If Australia and the United States – who are the closest of allies – are capable to get aligned connected this, then that will springiness momentum to different allies successful the region,” Mr Mondschein said.

Stepping onto the tarmac astatine John F Kennedy International Airport successful New York, Mr Albanese emphasised the value of Australia’s relation connected the world stage.

“What we want to spot is accrued bid and information and stability astir the world,” helium told reporters.

“We are a state that play a affirmative relation successful our region, successful the Pacific, arsenic well arsenic of people … our traditional allies such arsenic our Five-Eyes partners including the United States and the United Kingdom.”

Security successful the Pacific portion is simply a cardinal contented for Australia and the US to work on, an expert says. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS

The missive from Republican members of Congress, including erstwhile statesmanlike nominee Ted Cruz, claims the designation of Palestine would undermine prospects for bid and reward terrorism.

“Proceeding with designation will enactment your state astatine likelihood with long-standing US argumentation and interests and whitethorn invitation punitive measures successful response,” it read.

Their statement comes days aft a UN enquiry branded Israel’s violative successful Gaza arsenic an enactment of genocide against Palestinians.

Australia has condemned the denial of assistance and sidesplitting of civilians successful the territory.

Since October 2023, Israel’s subject run and throttling of assistance has killed 65,000 Palestinians and near 641,000 radical astatine hazard of catastrophic levels of starvation, section wellness ministry and UN sources person found.

Israel’s caller violative began aft designated terror radical Hamas killed 1,200 civilians and took astir 250 much hostage.

Source: AAP