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Australia to recognise Palestinian state – joining France, Canada, UK
PM Anthony Albanese said Australia’s decision was predicated on the Palestinian Authority holding elections and demilitarising Gaza
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Australia will recognise a Palestinian state, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, joining the leaders of France, Britain and Canada in signalling that they would do so.
His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his cabinet and from many in Australia to recognise a Palestinian state, amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering and starvation in Gaza.
Australia’s government has also criticised plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza.
Albanese told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday that Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state would be formalised at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The acknowledgement was “predicated on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” Albanese said.
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Those commitments included no role for Hamas in a Palestinian government, demilitarisation of Gaza and the holding of elections,” he said.
“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.
A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope … to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza
Ahead of Albanese’s announcement, Netanyahu on Sunday criticised Australia and European countries that have moved to recognise a Palestinian state.
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