A group of US Republicans has sent a letter to France, Canada, the UK and Australia, urging them to re-consider their decision to recognise a Palestinian state.  It's warning there may be consequences if the countries move ahead with plan at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

Washington

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

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A letter signed by 13 Republican senators and 12 House members was sent to the leaders of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, warning them against recognizing a Palestinian state. The letter argues that such recognition would reward Hamas and could lead to increased anti-Semitic attacks, though these claims are made without evidence.

Notably, the letter lacks signatures from the Republican majority leader, the Speaker of the House, and any Democrats, representing only a small fraction of Congress. While the letter threatens consequences, it does not specify what those might be, and the signatories likely lack the authority to enact punitive measures. Separately, US President Donald Trump has denied visas to the Palestinian delegation for the United Nations General Assembly, limiting their diplomatic engagement.

US Republicans warn allies over decision to recognise Palestinian state

This letter has been signed by 13 Republican senators and 12 members of the House of Representatives sent to the leaders of Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and France. It's saying that this recognition of the Palestinian state rewards Hamas and claiming without evidence that by doing so it will increase anti-semitic attacks in their countries. Now what's noticeable is who's not on this list. There's a couple household names but we don't have the signature of the Republican majority leader in the Senate or the Republican Speaker of the House. We don't have any Democrats on here. Now it's not clear if the Israeli lobby was pushing for this letter but it is significant in how few signed on. There are 535 members of Congress. This letter contains just 25 signatures. Now there are threatening consequences. They don't specify what those consequences might be probably because it doesn't seem the Congress, at least these 25 Republicans, really have the power to punish any of these countries. The president could do that. We haven't seen him take those steps although he said he disagrees with the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state. Now US President Donald Trump has helped out Israel. He has taken the not unprecedented but highly unusual step of denying visas to the Palestinian delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly, really robbing Mahmoud Abbas of the opportunity to be seen shaking hands with these new world leaders that are recognizing his state. So they're taking away that powerful tool that sends a message of Palestinian legitimacy. Patti Culhane, Al Jazeera, Washington.

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US Republicans warn allies over decision to recognise Palestinian state

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