Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Elise Stefanik Lead Bicameral Letter to Global Leaders Warning Recognition of a Palestinian State is Reckless and Dangerous

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led 23 of their colleagues in a bicameral letter urging the leaders of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France to reverse course on their anticipated efforts to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly. In their letter, the members write that legitimizing a Palestinian state would put their nations at odds with long-standing U.S. policy and interests, and would be a reckless and dangerous move that would reward Hamas's terrorism and undermine the prospects for peace and safety for Jews, not only in the Middle East, but around the world, and further destabilize the region.

Read the letter here or below:

Dear Prime Minister Albanese, Prime Minister Carney, President Macron, and Prime Minister Starmer,

We are writing with respect to your efforts to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 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.

Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state undermines the principles of direct negotiations 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. 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, using them as bargaining chips in a barbaric quest to preserve its authoritarian grip on power. Those hostages still alive are being held in deplorable conditions. Hamas' war crimes are clear, and its rejection of diplomacy should lead your countries to impose more pressure. Instead, you offer greater rewards.

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. Rewarding entities that refuse to renounce violence or engage in meaningful negotiations only serves to further entrench divisions and instability.

This misguided effort to reward terrorism also imperils the security of your own countries. 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. You have the responsibility to stand against this scourge, denounce violence, and protect Jewish communities. Sadly, your actions to legitimize a Palestinian terror state will only provide greater motivation to the violent antisemitic mobs.

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 United States is committed to Israel's security and to fostering a just and lasting peace in the Middle East through direct negotiations. Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state jeopardizes this process. It risks perpetuating tensions and rewarding terrorist entities that seek Israel's destruction.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and we look forward to your response.

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