Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come under scrutiny following his government’s commitment to officially acknowledge a Palestinian state, a decision he defended today. This move has drawn criticism from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who described it as a reward for terrorism. However, Albanese contended that urgent global action is necessary to prevent further civilian casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians.
During an interview on the Today show, Albanese expressed that many innocent lives have already been lost, and there is a pressing need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Australia plans to join France, the UK, and Canada in recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month. Initially, Albanese had indicated that the recognition was not imminent; however, recent developments, including increasing international support for Palestinian statehood and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to reoccupy Gaza, have provided new impetus for this announcement.
Albanese highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, emphasising the unacceptable loss of life near aid distribution points where civilians seeking basic necessities have been killed. He revealed that he has spoken with Netanyahu, who seemed to dismiss the severe impact on innocent lives. The Prime Minister’s remarks suggested a need for accountability, particularly regarding actions taken by the Israeli government that aggravate the humanitarian crisis.
In response to criticisms of endorsing a state with Hamas, Albanese proposed that as a precondition for recognition, the international community could prevent Hamas members from participating in elections within Palestine. He articulated that there are ways to exclude representatives of Hamas from governance if there is a unified stance from Arab states, the Palestinian Authority, and the broader international community.
Amidst these developments, Herzog warned that the recognition by Australia and its allies is a perilous mistake that will empower Hamas. Nevertheless, Albanese remains firm on the stance that cooperation among nations can mitigate potential threats posed by such groups while striving for a peaceful solution to the long-standing conflict.