2LT International News

CANBERRA, Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on August 11 that Australia will formally recognize a Palestinian state, aligning the country with recent moves by France, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

He said the decision will be officially declared during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Albanese’s remarks come after weeks of internal pressure from Cabinet colleagues and growing public calls for recognition, amid mounting criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He described the humanitarian crisis in the enclave as “catastrophic” and condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s newly announced plans for a large-scale offensive there.

According to Albanese, Australia’s recognition is conditional on commitments made by the Palestinian Authority (PA). These include excluding Hamas from any future Palestinian government, demilitarizing Gaza, and holding democratic elections. “A two-state solution remains 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,” he said.

The decision drew a sharp response from Netanyahu, who over the weekend criticized Australia and several European nations for moving toward recognition. “To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole … this canard is disappointing and I think it’s actually shameful,” the Israeli leader said.

Australia has designated Hamas a terrorist organization and continues to demand the release of Israeli hostages taken during the group’s October 7, 2023, attacks. Albanese reiterated this stance on Monday, noting that he had discussed the matter directly with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week. Abbas, whose administration governs parts of the occupied West Bank, supports a two-state solution and coordinates on security with Israel. He has agreed to the conditions outlined by Australia and other Western governments that are considering recognition.

Globally, nearly 150 of the 193 UN member states already recognize Palestinian statehood, most having done so decades ago. The United States and several other Western powers have withheld recognition, arguing that it should be part of a final negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. While Israel rejects such recognition outright, supporters see it as a step toward reviving long-stalled peace talks.

Under the two-state framework, a Palestinian state would be established alongside Israel, encompassing most or all of the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.

Albanese dismissed suggestions that Australia’s move is merely symbolic, noting that he has consulted closely with the leaders of Britain, France, New Zealand, and Japan, and has held a “long discussion” with Netanyahu earlier this month.

In neighboring New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his government is still deliberating on recognition and expects to decide by September.