The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has strongly criticised Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, calling Washington’s response one of “very, very strong disappointment” and even “disgust.”
Huckabee said the move would embolden Hamas, stall progress with the Palestinian Authority, and push Israel closer to annexing parts of the West Bank—land Palestinians want for a future state.
“We feel like the government of Australia has made a very serious mistake,” he told the ABC on Sept. 24.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the recognition at the UN General Assembly earlier this week, alongside similar steps by the UK, France, and Canada.
‘Opposite Effect’
Huckabee argued the recognition by Australia and others was backfiring.“It is having the opposite effect of what I think these countries want,” he said.
He said financial talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority broke down after European nations signalled recognition, with Israel seeing little reason to keep negotiating once the Palestinians were already gaining support abroad.
“That ended all of that discussion,” he said.The ambassador also warned Israel was seriously considering asserting sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, which he said was an unintended consequence of Australia’s stance.
On the broader two-state question, Huckabee accused advocates of ignoring security realities.
“A lot of times when people say, let’s have a two-state solution, I’ll hand them a map, and I’ll say, draw the lines for me,” he said.
Point of ‘Stress,’ Not a Break
Despite his strong criticism, Huckabee said the rift between Australia and the U.S. should not be seen as a collapse in ties.“It’s a point of stress. That’s fair to say. It’s a point of strong disagreement, not mild,” he said. “But it does not mean that we break relationships, recall our ambassadors or close our embassies.”
He likened the strain to a marriage, noting ongoing cooperation through AUKUS and other defence pacts.
“There are a lot more things we do agree on than we disagree on,” he said.
Opposition Steps In
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has pledged a Coalition government would reverse recognition, writing to senior U.S. Republicans hours after Albanese’s UN speech.Huckabee welcomed the gesture. “I’m comforted by that because it does tell me that not everybody in Australia agrees with the leadership.”
Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar later praised Ley’s position and invited her to visit Israel.
However, Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused the opposition of undermining Australia’s credibility.
Civilian Deaths in Gaza
An investigation by The Guardian reported that 83 percent of those killed in Gaza were civilians, citing Israeli military data.Researchers said this rate was almost unparalleled in modern conflicts.
“This suffering is prolonged because Hamas won’t let the hostages go, and because they will not give up their arms. When that happens, the suffering ends,” Huckabee said.
He argued Israel uniquely warns civilians before strikes and accused Hamas of using residents as human shields.
“We think [Australia] should be standing together with us and opposing Hamas and demanding the hostages’ release,” he said.
