Australia has announced its decision to recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, following similar moves from the UK, France, and Canada. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who emphasised the significance of this recognition in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to Albanese, Australia has secured commitments from the Palestinian Authority (PA), including promises to demilitarise, hold general elections, and continue recognising Israel’s right to exist. The Prime Minister stated that a two-state solution is the “best hope” for ending the cycle of violence in the Middle East, while bringing much-needed relief to the people suffering in Gaza.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” Albanese said during his announcement on Monday.
The decision comes as Israel faces mounting pressure to halt its military operations in Gaza, where reports of starvation and malnutrition have claimed the lives of five more individuals since Saturday, bringing the death toll to 217. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that over 61,000 people have died since Israel’s military campaign began in response to the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
While Israel has expressed strong opposition to the recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing that it “rewards terrorism,” the Palestinian Authority welcomed the move. They view it as a growing international endorsement of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Albanese also confirmed that the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had pledged that Hamas would not play a role in any future Palestinian state.
This development follows diplomatic conversations between Albanese and leaders from the UK, France, New Zealand, and Japan, reflecting a coordinated global push for peace. As Albanese stated, “There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it.”
The announcement also comes on the heels of a large pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney, where tens of thousands marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, demonstrating their support for Palestinian statehood.
The UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state has been met with mixed reactions, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stating that the move is intended to bolster the peace process in the region. The US, however, maintains its stance against recognising Palestinian statehood, citing concerns over the lack of a functional government in Palestine and the ongoing role of Hamas.
In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised countries planning to recognise Palestine as a state. At a press conference on Sunday, he declared, “To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole… it is disappointing – and I think it’s actually shameful.”
As the international community continues to debate the path toward peace, the state of Palestine has already been recognised by 147 of the 193 UN member states. Despite this recognition, Palestine holds the status of a “permanent observer state” at the UN, granting it participation in debates but no voting rights.
With Israel under increasing international scrutiny, especially over its plans to take control of Gaza City, the world watches closely to see whether Australia’s decision will help spur a lasting peace agreement, or if it will lead to further tensions in the region.