“It is also important to note it does not reflect the view of a majority of Australians. According to the
reputable Resolve Political Monitor, just 24 per cent of Australians support recognising Palestine,” she said in the letter, provided to this masthead.
In the August poll cited by Ley, Resolve reported that while a quarter of voters support Australia recognising a Palestinian state regardless of who holds power in Gaza, a third said recognition should wait until key conditions are met.
In September, Australians were evenly split on Albanese’s plan to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting, with 29 per cent of Australians supporting and opposing the move respectively.
Forty-two per cent said they were unsure or had no opinion, suggesting the issue is not a high priority for many voters.
Other polls not cited by Ley, conducted by pollsters Essential and DemosAU with differently worded questions, have recently found higher support for recognition.
“In this time of global uncertainty I want to affirm that millions of Australians remain committed to our enduring friendship with the United States and our alliance,” Ley said. “We cannot allow our relationship to drift, which we have unfortunately seen under our current prime minister, including on the matter you have raised.”
Ley finished her letter by stating her intention to travel to the US for talks in December.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New York on Sunday.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
In July, Albanese slammed Coalition figures for attacking his trip to China, suggesting they were breaking with convention to criticise a prime minister overseas.
The Coalition is opposed to the government’s decision to use recognition as a tool to spark an elusive peace process. Previously, both parties viewed Palestinian statehood as the end result of a peace process when borders were agreed.
The US lawmakers’ letter said: “Proceeding with recognition will put your country at odds with longstanding US policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response.”
“This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,” it said. “It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas.”
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