Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood
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Australia has signaled openness to earlier recognition as part of a broader "two-state solution" effort.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pose on July 1, 2022, at the Élysée Palace in Paris (AP)
Australia is facing mounting pressure to support an international push for Palestinian statehood, as French President Emmanuel Macron leads a renewed global effort toward a Middle East deal.
Ahead of a United Nations-backed summit in New York later this month, France has been actively lobbying Western allies, including Australia and the UK, to build momentum for a "two-state solution".
There is growing speculation that France, co-chairing the summit with Saudi Arabia, may formally recognize Palestine during the event in a bid to revive stalled "peace talks".
Macron’s calls recognition of Palestine 'moral obligation'
Macron recently called the recognition of Palestine “not only a moral obligation” but also “a political necessity,” urging European nations to toughen their stance on "Israel" if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues unchecked.
France, like Australia, the UK, and the US, does not currently recognize a Palestinian state, setting them apart from the 147 out of 193 UN member nations that do.
Speaking in Singapore on Friday, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the urgency of the issue. “Beyond the humanitarian tragedy, what is at stake is the very possibility of a Palestinian state,” he said, adding, “We clearly see that some are trying to make a Palestinian state impossible. But what we are defending is a political outcome to the situation.”
In a statement to The Guardian Australia, a spokesperson for France’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it is working closely with international partners, including Australia, on four key priorities ahead of the UN-backed summit in New York from 17 to 20 June.
Those priorities include recognizing a Palestinian state, normalizing relations with regional countries, reforming the Palestinian Authority, and disarming the Palestinian Resistance.
'Wider political dynamic'
The spokesperson detailed how Macron is aspiring to make this recognition part of a "wider political dynamic," attempting to bring as many states on board, detailing how "Australia is a country with strong affinities for this issue and is strongly committed to it."
A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Australia is actively engaging with the organizing countries and international partners ahead of the upcoming conference.
“The two-state solution conference has an important role in progressing the political, economic and security issues that need to be addressed to implement a durable and lasting two-state solution,” the spokesperson noted.
Reiterating Wong’s remarks from last year, they added that Australia no longer views recognition of a Palestinian state as something that must wait until final negotiations, but rather as a step that could help build momentum toward a "two-state solution".
Professor Don Rothwell, an international law expert at the Australian National University, described the summit as a “novel process", reflecting a growing belief among France and its allies that a fresh approach is needed to resolve the long-standing issue.
'Israel' withholding aid to Gaza 'outrage': Albanese
Speculation about a possible shift in the federal government’s stance intensified last week after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered his strongest criticism yet of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, condemning the Israeli blockade of food and aid into Gaza as an “outrage".
“It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza … People are starving,” Albanese said. “The idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage.”
It’s understood that Albanese recently spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also held discussions with her counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, in the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash reaffirmed the opposition’s support for a Palestinian state but only as the outcome of a peace process that includes the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas.
“There can be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza,” Cash stated, explaining that this would be "rewarding terrorism".
