SYDNEY: Australia will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly session in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Albanese stated, “Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary. Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own.”
This move aligns Australia with several other countries—including France, Britain, and Canada—that have either recognised or expressed intent to support Palestinian statehood following Israel’s military operations in Gaza nearly two years ago, launched in response to Hamas attacks.
The Australian prime minister also clarified that the Palestinian Authority had assured Canberra there would be no involvement of Hamas in any future Palestinian state. “There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” Albanese said.
The announcement marks a significant shift in Australia’s foreign policy and comes amid increasing international momentum for a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace in the Middle East.
