Australia's Bold Move: Prime Minister Albanese Announces Recognition of Palestinian State

Australia Joins Global Leaders in Recognizing Palestine

Wellington: On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will officially recognize a Palestinian state, aligning with leaders from France, Britain, and Canada in this significant diplomatic shift.

This decision comes after increasing pressure from within his Cabinet and public sentiment regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which Albanese described as a 'humanitarian catastrophe.'

The Australian government has also expressed disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent plans for a major military operation in Gaza.

Following a Cabinet meeting, Albanese stated that the formal recognition of a Palestinian state will be presented at the United Nations General Assembly in September. He emphasized that this acknowledgment is based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority.

These commitments include the exclusion of Hamas from any Palestinian government, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the organization of elections.

Albanese remarked, 'A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and alleviate the suffering in Gaza.'

He further noted, 'The situation in Gaza has surpassed the world's worst fears,' criticizing the Israeli government for violating international law and failing to provide adequate aid to those in need, including children.

In response to Albanese's announcement, Netanyahu criticized Australia and other European nations for their recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it 'disappointing and shameful.'

Australia has classified Hamas as a terrorist organization, and Albanese reiterated calls for the group to release Israeli hostages taken since October 7, 2023.

Last week, Albanese engaged in discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs parts of the occupied West Bank and supports a two-state solution while cooperating with Israel on security issues. Abbas has agreed to conditions set by Western leaders, including Albanese, in anticipation of recognizing a Palestinian state.

'This is a chance to provide self-determination for the Palestinian people while isolating and disarming Hamas,' Albanese stated, asserting that Hamas does not endorse a two-state solution.

Nearly 150 of the 193 UN member states have recognized Palestinian statehood, many doing so decades ago. However, the United States and other Western nations have refrained from doing so, insisting that Palestinian statehood should be part of a comprehensive resolution to the long-standing Middle East conflict.

While recognition is largely symbolic and rejected by Israel, a two-state solution would establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, encompassing most of the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and annexed East Jerusalem—territories seized by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.

Albanese dismissed claims that this recognition is merely symbolic, stating, 'This is a practical contribution towards building momentum. Australia is not acting in isolation.'

He also mentioned that he had consulted with leaders from Britain, France, New Zealand, and Japan regarding this decision, and had a 'lengthy discussion' with Netanyahu earlier this month.

In New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters indicated that the government would carefully consider its stance on recognizing a Palestinian state before making a formal decision in September, asserting that it is a matter of 'when, not if.'