Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the Australian government will recognise the state of Palestine in September, as the Coalition expresses its "serious concerns" about the move.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mr Albanese called a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon to announce that Australia would recognise statehood at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
"Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own predictated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority."
"We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.
"Australia is making this statement today following our cabinet meeting. As part of a coordinated global effort, building momentum for a two-state solution."
Mr Albanese said he has discussed his plans with the leaders of the UK, France, New Zealand and Japan, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
"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," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese said he had sought commitment from President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority "that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state".
The Prime Minister said the Palestinian Authority had committed to demilitarise and to hold general elections, and to reaffirm its recognition of Israel's right to exist in peace and security.
He called Hamas an "enemy of the Palestinian people as well".
The Prime Minister said the Netanyahu government's actions, together with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, threatened to undermine the two-state solution for a generation.
"The Netanyahu government is rapidly expanding illegal settlements, settler violence in the West Bank has increased, there have been threats to annex the occupied Palestinian territories and proposing the permanent, forced displacement of the Palestinian people," Mr Albanese said.
"The Israeli government continues to defy international law and denies sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.
"This vital aid must be allowed to get to the people who need it most."
The Prime Minister called his discussion with Mr Netanyahu on the issue "civil" and said the two leaders had a lengthy conversation.
"The arguments that he put to me were very similar to the arguments that he put more than a year ago," the Prime Minister said.
"It seems to me very clearly - and I put the argument to him - that we need a political solution, not a military one, because a military response alone has seen the devastation in Gaza."
Coalition expresses 'serious concerns'
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and opposition spokeswoman for foreign affairs Michaelia Cash expressed "serious concerns" about Mr Albanese's unilateral announcement "outside of a proper peace and two-state process".
"Until today it has been a bipartisan position that the question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process, not at the start or during it," Ms Ley and Senator Cash said.
"Until today it was a bipartisan position that there should be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza.
"Despite his words today the reality is Anthony Albanese has committed Australia to recognising Palestine while hostages remain in tunnels under Gaza and with Hamas still in control of the population of Gaza. Nothing he has said today changes that fact."
Mr Albanese told journalists he wanted to see hostages released and an immediate ceasefire.
The Coalition has also questioned what Australia's position will mean for its relationship with the United States.
"This decision, at this time, puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally, and the most consequential player in the conflict in Gaza," Ms Ley and Senator Cash said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, ahead of the announcement, as a matter of "diplomatic courtesy".
"The project that we are engaged in with the United States and others, which is peace, stability and security in our region, is something we both remain very committed to," Senator Wong said.
'Australia elevates the position of Hamas': Israel's ambassador
Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, condemned the move on Monday afternoon, saying Australia was undermining Israel's security and derailing hostage negotiations.
"This decision will not change the reality on the ground," Mr Maimon said.
"Peace is not achieved through declarations; it is achieved when those who have chosen terror abandon it and when violence and incitement end.
"Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends the dangerous message that violence brings political gains."
Mr Maimon said Australia "elevates the position of Hamas" by recognising a Palestinian state now.
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council said it was "deeply disappointed" by the decision.
"Regardless of the government's intentions, recognition will be seen by both Israelis and Palestinians as a reward for Palestinian terrorism and as punishment for Israel, despite the fact that Israel has always been much more forward-leaning on peace than the Palestinians," the advocacy group said in a statement.
International pressure builds on Israel
Australia has supported a two-state solution since 1947, and the Albanese government had been signalling its plans to announce the update to its position imminently.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in early August, calling on the Australian government to sanction Israel, as images of emaciated children emerged from Gaza.
The crisis in Gaza has been ongoing since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's response has killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities, and UN sources project more than two million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government wanted all hostages held by Hamas released and reunited with their families.
Senator Wong said Australia would hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments, with the practical implementation of Australia's recognition to be tied to progress on these.
- with Australian Associated Press
