Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor says the Australian government’s plan to formally recognise a Palestinian state is “a reward to Hamas”, as the historic move sparks mixed reactions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia will join allies such as France, the UK and Canada and recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September.
“Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” Albanese said in Canberra.
“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.”
He said Palestinian recognition was part of international efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
“This is a practical contribution towards building momentum. This is not Australia acting alone,” Albanese said.
“An end [to the conflict] can only be secured when both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.”
Any recognition would need to guarantee that the designated terror group Hamas, which de facto governs Gaza, played no role in its future government, he said.
However, Taylor said the recognition was premature.
“This is a reward to Hamas for what they started on October 7 … if you start going down this path, I think Hamas will be very pleased with their work, and that’s exactly the opposite of what we want to see,” he told Sky News.
His view was echoed by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who said the move would not hasten an end to the war in Gaza.
“Anthony Albanese has committed Australia to recognising Palestine while hostages remain in tunnels under Gaza and with Hamas still in control of the population of Gaza,” Ley said.
“Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. The clear advice of our most important ally is this decision will not expedite that outcome.”
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network’s president Nasser Mashni warned that Palestinian recognition could be used as a “veneer” that allows Israel to “continue brutalising Palestinians with no consequences”.
And the Palestine Action Group said the move was only symbolic and would not address issues on the ground in Gaza.
“Recognition without sanctions is an empty gesture. It will not stop the bombs, the siege, or the starvation. It will not save lives,” a spokesman said.
Greens senator David Shoebridge said the recognition was overdue, but should also include sanctions on Israel.
Israel’s ambassador in Australia Amir Maimon claimed the move had been taken for “symbolic reasons rather than genuine progress toward peace”, while the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council also condemned the government’s decision.
“Recognition by Western countries telegraphs to Hamas that its rejection of multiple ceasefire proposals over the past 12 months were the correct decision,” the council said in a statement.
Albanese revealed he spoke on Thursday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the situation in Gaza had gone “beyond the world’s worst fears” and urged for a political solution to the conflict.
Ahead of the announcement, Netanyahu said the stances of Australia and other nations on Palestine were “shameful” and warned it would not create peace in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed she spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Australia’s intention to recognise Palestine before the decision was formally announced.
The federal government has been under increasing pressure to do more on the Middle East, with images of emaciated children pouring out of the Gaza Strip.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge just over a week ago, alongside thousands more in other Australian capitals, urging the government to sanction Israel.
Albanese said the international community had to act.
“This is about much more than drawing a line on a map. This is about delivering a lifeline to the people of Gaza,” he said.
“The toll of the status quo is growing by the day, and it can be measured in innocent lives. The world cannot wait for success to be guaranteed.”
The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel’s response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza’s health authorities, and UN sources project more than two million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel denies the population is suffering or dying from starvation, despite international human rights groups condemning its offensive.
New Zealand is also considering recognition of a Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.
He said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s cabinet would make a formal decision next month and present the approach at the UN Leaders’ Week in New York in late September.
“We intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand’s principles, values and national interest,” he said.
“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if.”
-AAP
Live News
