- Albanese published the message after a cabinet meeting.
- Criticizes Netanyahu for opposing Palestinian state efforts.
- “Two-State Solution is ‘humanity’s best hope of ending conflict’.
Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at next month’s UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, a step that adds international pressure to Israel following similar messages from France, Britain and Canada.
“Australia will recognize the state of Palestine at the 80 sessions in the United Nations General Assembly (Unga) in September to contribute to international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages,” Albanese said in a statement.
Albanese issued the message after a cabinet meeting and told journalists in Canberra that recognition would be based on obligations that Australia received from the Palestinian authority, including that Hamas would have no involvement in any future state.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope of breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East and putting an end to the conflict, suffering and hunger in Gaza,” Albanese said at a news conference.
Albanese said he was talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and told him that a political solution was needed and not a military.
Last week, Australia criticized Israel’s plan to take military control over Gaza, and Albanese said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state was “further forced” by Netanyahus Ignoring the International Society’s calls and non -compliance with legal and ethical obligations in Gaza.
“The Netanyahu government turns off the prospect of a two-state solution by quickly expanding illegal settlements, threatens the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories and explicitly opposes any Palestinian state,” Albanese said in the joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Obligations from the Palestinian authority to reform governance, demilitarize and hold parliamentary elections and the Arab League requirements for Hamas to end his government in Gaza created an opportunity, he said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Monday that New Zealand is considering recognition of a Palestinian state.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s cabinet would make a formal decision in September and present the government’s approach to the UN leaders week, he said.
Peters said that although some of New Zealand’s close partners had chosen to recognize a Palestinian state, New Zealand had an independent foreign policy.
“We intend to weigh the problem carefully and then act in accordance with New Zealand’s principles, values and national interest,” Peters said in a statement.
The government had to weigh whether sufficient progress was made against the Palestinian territories that became a viable and legitimate State of New Zealand to give recognition.
“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if,” Peters added.
