Gaza War: Australia also wants to recognize the state of Palestine

According to France and Canada, Australia also wants to recognize a Palestinian state. “A two-state solution is the best hope of humanity to break through the cycle of violence in the Middle East and the conflict to end suffering and hunger in Gaza,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to journalists. The cabinet had previously discussed the decision.

Formally, recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September is to be announced. “We made it clear that we will recognize Palestine if this is best contributed to peace,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The time for this is in September.

Israel’s President Izchak Herzog condemned the announcements of Australia and other countries. They would reward terror and promote the enemies of freedom, liberality and democracy, he said according to a spokesman. “This is a serious and dangerous mistake that will not help a single Palestinian and, sadly, will not bring a single hostage back,” he added.

Albanese had only said on the weekend that it was only a matter of time before Australia would recognize a Palestinian state – and thus aroused expectations that such an announcement could be imminent. The decision is part “of a coordinated global effort” in order to advance a two-state solution, emphasized Albanese. The term “two-state solution” means that Israel and an independent Palestinian state exist peacefully by side.

He spoke about this in advance with Great Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Strandmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said Albanese. Already on Thursday last week he also discussed the topic with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmud Abbas.

Israel condemns decision

Macron had already announced at the end of July to officially announce Palestine’s recognition at the UN General Assembly. Canada followed a few days later. Great Britain has also recently been openly threatened with recognition of Palestine if Netanyahu’s government was not to end the Gaza war and the suffering of the Palestinians. Almost 150 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have already recognized Palestine as a state.

Netanyahu recently described the impending announcement from Australia and the decisions of the other countries as “shameful” and emphasized: “Today, the majority of the Jewish public is decided against the Palestinian state, for the simple reason that they will not bring peace to be brought. He will bring war.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced that the Pacific state had also been advised on the recognition of Palestine and was also advised in the cabinet. However, the decision should not be made public until September.