Australia to recognize a Palestinian state, Albanese confirms
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Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced, aligning Canberra with several Western nations amid criticism of "Israel’s" planned Gaza offensive.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during a press conference in Sydney, March 12, 2025. (PHOTO / AAP IMAGE VIA AP)
Australia will formally recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday, aligning with leaders from France, Britain, and Canada who have signaled similar intentions.
The decision follows weeks of calls from within Albanese’s Cabinet and wider Australian society, amid growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Australian government has also criticized plans announced by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a new large-scale military offensive in the enclave.
Albanese said the recognition will be formalized during the United Nations General Assembly in September. This decision, he stressed, is based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including excluding Hamas from governance, demilitarizing Gaza, and holding elections.
"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.
Australia’s conditions for recognition
According to Albanese, Australia’s recognition of Palestine hinges on commitments that there will be no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian government, the demilitarization of Gaza, and that the Palestinian Authority will hold democratic elections.
He rejected claims that the move is merely symbolic, calling it a "practical contribution towards building momentum" for peace.
In response, Netanyahu criticized Australia and European nations on Sunday for considering recognition, calling it "shameful."
Nearly 150 of the 193 UN member states have already recognized Palestinian statehood, many doing so decades ago. While the United States and several other Western powers have held back, they maintain that recognition should follow a final peace agreement.
A two-state solution envisions a Palestinian state alongside "Israel," encompassing the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and annexed East Jerusalem, territories seized in the 1967 Middle East war.
In neighboring New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the country will carefully consider its stance ahead of September.
“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if,” Peters stated.
Australian FM warns 'Israel' against Gaza occupation
This comes after Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called on "Israel" to drop its plans to occupy Gaza, warning the move could worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave and constitute a breach of international law.
In remarks to Guardian Australia, Wong pushed back on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take control of the entire Gaza Strip. "Australia calls on Israel to not go down this path, which will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," she said, adding, "Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law."
"Israel’s" security cabinet, following an overnight meeting on August 7, approved plans for "Israel" to take over Gaza City. While the move falls short of total occupation, it is expected to displace tens of thousands of Palestinians already enduring famine.
