Australia to recognize Palestinian state at UN General Assembly

Australia will officially recognize a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday.

“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 told reporters in Canberra. “Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary. Australia will recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own. We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.”

The decision aligns Australia with countries such as France, Britain, and Canada, which have pushed for Palestinian recognition following 'Israel’s' war on Gaza, launched nearly two years ago.

Albanese emphasised that the commitment was based on assurances from the Palestinian Authority (PA) that Hamas would have “no role” in any future Palestinian state.

“There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” Albanese added, while also criticizing 'Israel' for continuing to defy “international law and deny sufficient aid.”

The announcement drew swift reaction. 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned international recognition efforts, warning they would “not bring peace, it will bring war.” He accused European nations and Australia of “falling right into” what he called “this canard,” describing the move as “shameful.”

Momentum for Palestinian recognition is also building elsewhere. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country would decide within a month, calling recognition “a matter of when, not if.”