Australia wants to recognize Palestine as a state - Israel calls it "shameful" and warns of war
Pressure on Israel continues to grow over the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip. Following France and Canada, Australia also wants to recognize Palestine as a state. Israel calls this "shameful."
Following France and Canada, Australia also wants to recognize Palestine as a state. "A two-state solution is humanity's best hope for breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East and ending the conflict, suffering, and hunger in Gaza ," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. The cabinet had previously discussed the decision.
The recognition is to be formally announced at the United Nations General Assembly in September. "We have made it clear that we will recognize Palestine when this will best contribute to peace," said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The timing for this is in September.
Just this weekend, Albanese said it was only a matter of time before Australia would recognize a Palestinian state, fueling expectations that such an announcement could be imminent. The decision is part of "a coordinated global effort" to advance a two-state solution, Albanese emphasized. The term two-state solution refers to Israel and an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully side by side.
Albanese said he had previously discussed the issue with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. He also discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday of last week.
Macron had already announced at the end of July that he intended to officially declare recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. Canada followed a few days later. Great Britain also recently openly threatened Israel with recognition of Palestine if Netanyahu's government did not end the Gaza war and the suffering of the Palestinians. Nearly 150 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have already recognized Palestine as a state.
Netanyahu recently called the impending announcement from Australia and the decisions of other countries "shameful," stressing: "Today, the bulk of the Jewish public is firmly opposed to the Palestinian state for the simple reason that they know it will not bring peace. It will bring war."
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