Australia To Recognise State of Palestine At UN In September

The Albanese government has formally announced Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly this September.

“Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own predicated on the commit amendments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” he said at a press conference on Monday.

“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.”

It follows similar recognition from countries including France, the UK, and Canada.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday it was a matter of “when, not if” Australia recognises a Palestinian state. Only hours before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the Israeli cabinet’s intent to occupy Gaza.

The recognition comes after increasing public pressure on the Australian government to act, with more than 100,000 people marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to protest Israel’s military campaign in Gaza last weekend, in one of the biggest anti-war actions the city has ever seen.

Palestine Action Group, the organisers of the protest, said recognition was a distraction and called for sanctions on Israel.

“This decision is not born of principle, but of political heat. The Australian public is demanding action to stop Israel’s genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip,” they said.

“Recognition without sanctions is an empty gesture. It will not stop the bombs, the siege, or the starvation. It will not save lives. The only proportionate and effective response to genocide is to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including an immediate end to all military trade, in both directions and to join the global majority in isolating Israel until it ends its crimes.”

Albanese reiterated his support for the two state solution, and said the decision does not undermine Australia’s support for Israel.

“When we recognise the long-held and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine, we are also upholding and strengthening our commitment to the people of Israel and their right to live in freedom, security and safety.

“Because until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary. Ever since the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Australia has stood with the people of Israel and our partners and allies around the world in calling for the release of the hostages. For the sake of the loved ones and all who share in their pain, we repeat that call today.”

Decision met with backlash from Zionist bodies

In a press conference overnight, Netanyahu described the new wave of countries recognising Palestine as “shameful”, and said it wasn’t going to change Israel’s position.

“It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,” he said.

“They know what they would do if right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney you had this horrific attacks. I think you would do it, at least what we’re doing, probably maybe not as efficiently and as precisely as we’re doing it.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler also criticised the move, saying recognition of a Palestinian state would exacerbate the already existing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“We are deeply concerned that the timing and substance of this policy reversal will embolden Hamas, further jeopardise the lives of Israeli hostages, prolong the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and place more strain on the longstanding alliance between Australia and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East,” he said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said over the weekend that there was “precedent” for Australia to recognise a country despite parts of it being controlled by a terror group.

“Both Syria and Iraq had a long period where parts of those countries were being occupied and realistically controlled by ISIS,” Burke said on Sky News. “It didn’t stop us from recognising and having diplomatic relations with those countries themselves.”

In his announcement this afternoon, Albanese said the recognition came following discussions with the Palestinian Authority, which is in charge of parts of the West Bank.

“Our government has made it clear that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state,” he said.

“This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President [Mahmoud] Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.”