Sydney, Aug 11: Australia will recognise Palestine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, joining France, Britain and Canada in signalling support for the move amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Albanese told reporters after a Cabinet meeting that the decision would be formalised at the United Nations General Assembly in September, following weeks of pressure from within his government and from Australian lawmakers to act.
He said Canberra’s recognition was based on commitments received from the Palestinian Authority, including that Hamas would have no role in a future Palestinian government, that Gaza would be demilitarised and that elections would be held.
“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,” Albanese said.
The announcement came as Australia’s government criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recently declared plans for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza, which United Nations officials have warned could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation.
Albanese’s statement puts Australia among a growing number of Western nations publicly backing recognition of Palestinian statehood, a step supporters say is necessary to advance long-stalled peace efforts.
