US-Australia ties tested over Palestine as Albanese, Trump confirm White House meeting

Australia’s determination to recognise Palestinian statehood has drawn crisp disapproval from Washington, with the US ambassador to Israel calling it a “point of stress” betwixt the two allies. Yet the improvement coincides with confirmation Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will yet conscionable face-to-face with President Donald Trump successful Washington connected October 20.

Speaking to the ABC, US ambassador Mike Huckabee said the Albanese authorities had made “a very superior mistake” successful joining countries such arsenic Canada and the UK successful recognising Palestine.

“It’s a constituent of stress … it’s a constituent of strong disagreement, not mild,” helium said. “We consciousness similar the authorities of Australia has made a very superior mistake.”

Mr Huckabee warned that designation would not bring bid person successful Gaza but alternatively pb to “more turmoil”, citing Israel’s threats to annex Palestinian territory.

Despite the strong words, helium emphasised the confederation would endure.
“There are a batch much things we bash hold connected than we disagree on. I’m sure that the US and Australia … will proceed to work together,” helium said.

President Trump besides used his code to the United Nations General Assembly to denounce designation of a Palestinian state, calling it “a reward for these horrible atrocities” committed by Hamas successful 2023.

Mr Albanese, who listened to Trump’s speech successful New York, was measured successful his response.
“It was a large privilege to beryllium astatine the United Nations this greeting to perceive President Trump and different leaders … enactment guardant their perspectives,” helium told reporters.

The premier curate had earlier been near disconnected Trump’s authoritative UN schedule, but secured an invitation to the White House adjacent month. The gathering is seen arsenic captious for Australia, which is seeking assurances connected its $368 cardinal AUKUS atomic submarine woody and alleviation from caller US tariffs connected imports.

At the UN, Albanese likened the plight of the Palestinians to that of the Jewish radical earlier the instauration of Israel remarks that underscored his government’s displacement connected Middle East policy. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has promised to reverse designation if the Coalition is returned to office, a stance Mr Huckabee welcomed arsenic grounds that “not everyone successful Australia agreed with the government.”

Former overseas curate Bob Carr, however, praised Labor’s decision, saying designation signalled “equal humanity” for Palestinians.
“The connection is, to Israel, stop the genocide … and stop the colony enlargement connected the West Bank,” helium said.

Albanese and spouse Jodie Haydon joined different world leaders astatine the US president’s welcome reception successful New York, where helium and Trump exchanged greetings. About 145 leaders lined up with their partners for authoritative photographs with the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, said the authorities was “delighted” astatine confirmation of the October 20 talks, noting they had been months successful the making aft a planned June gathering was cancelled owed to escalating struggle betwixt Israel and Iran.

With tensions implicit Palestine argumentation rising and strategic stakes high, the Albanese–Trump gathering is present acceptable to beryllium a important infinitesimal successful the alliance, balancing disagreements implicit the Middle East with the enduring weight of AUKUS and the broader partnership.