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Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley announces that she would vote for former President Donald Trump during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington on May 22, 2024. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has accused Australia, Canada, and the UK of caving to Hamas after they recognised Palestinian statehood.
“It’s a shame our allies are more concerned about pleasing Hamas than releasing the hostages and ending the war,” Haley said in a post to X on Sept. 22.
She also backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s message to the nations that the act of recognition was rewarding Hamas.
“This all day,” she said with a link to Trump’s speech calling for a release of hostages rather than giving in to Hamas.
Haley said until Hamas returns every single hostage, her Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year festival) message to the Jewish people would remain the same.
“The last two years have been full of challenges for you, especially for our brothers and sisters in Israel. May your strength and optimism over thousands of years be a lesson to us all in faith. L’shanah tovah,” she said.
Haley’s comments come after U.S. Congress members wrote a letter to Australia, the UK and Canada describing recognition of Palestine as a reckless policy undermining the peace process.
“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 letter states.
The letter was signed by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and more.
It warned about the consequences of recognising Palestine.
“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 statement said.
“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 jeopardises this process. It risks perpetuating tensions and rewarding terrorists entities that seek Israel’s destruction.”
Trump Makes it Clear Hostages Need to Be Released
At the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, Trump also echoed the message of his Republican colleagues, criticising nations that rewarded Hamas.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were seen in the audience.
“Instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: ‘Release the hostages now,’” Trump said.
Albanese and Wong released a statement on Sept. 21 stating “the Commonwealth of Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine.”
“This is a positive move forward and what it indicates is a signal that the world is getting together and saying, enough is enough. We need to end the cycle of violence,” Albanese said on Sky News Australia on Sept. 22.
“It won’t just be the three countries that have recognised today, in unison. It will be other countries as well tomorrow afternoon.”
Albanese is expected to meet Trump in a face to face meeting on Oct. 2o.
Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media. She can be reached at monica.o'[email protected]
