Former prime minister John Howard has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke of undermining Australia's relationship with Israel by formally recognising Palestinian statehood.

In a joint statement on Thursday with former foreign minister Alexander Downer, Mr Howard argued the decision to "prematurely" recognise Palestine betrayed international law and disregarded the principles of past Australian foreign policy.

"Statehood in international law is not a prize handed out to reward sympathy or to satisfy political sentiment," the senior Liberals wrote.

The pair argued that the move compromises Israel's security and rewards a fragmented Palestinian leadership, including Hamas, which has been listed as a terrorist organisation by Australia and several W

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