Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly this September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced, reports RTE.
“Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary,” he told reporters.
“Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own,” he added, reports RTE.
Multiple nations — including France, the UK, and Canada — have recently declared their intentions to acknowledge Palestinian statehood, following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza launched nearly two years ago in retaliation for Hamas attacks.
Mr Albanese, speaking after a cabinet meeting, said Australia’s recognition is based on assurances received from the Palestinian Authority, particularly that Hamas would not be involved in governing a future Palestinian state, reports RTE.
“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,” Mr Albanese said at a news conference, reports RTE.
“There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” he added, reports RTE.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is also weighing the possibility of recognising Palestinian statehood, according to Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s cabinet will make a final decision in September and share New Zealand’s stance during the UN Leaders’ Week, Mr Peters said, reports RTE.
He emphasised that while some of New Zealand’s close allies had already moved to recognise Palestinian statehood, the country maintains an independent approach to foreign policy.
“We intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand’s principles, values and national interest,” Mr Peters said in a statement, reports RTE.
The New Zealand government will assess whether there has been enough progress toward the Palestinian territories becoming a legitimate and sustainable state to warrant formal recognition.
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