Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced, aligning Canberra with recent decisions by the UK, France, and Canada.
According to Albanese, the move follows written commitments from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to pursue demilitarisation, hold democratic elections, and uphold Israel’s right to exist.
“A two-state solution remains humanity’s best chance to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring lasting peace, relief, and stability to Gaza,” Albanese told reporters on Monday.
The PA, which governs parts of the West Bank, has hailed the recognition as a sign of growing international support for Palestinian self-determination. Albanese emphasised that PA President Mahmoud Abbas had assured his government that Hamas would have no role in a future Palestinian state.
The announcement comes amid mounting global pressure on Israel to halt its Gaza offensive. Israel has criticised such recognitions, arguing they “reward terrorism.”
Figures from the Hamas-run health ministry claim more than 61,000 deaths in Gaza since Israel’s military response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage. The ministry also reported 217 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, with five of those occurring since Saturday.
Albanese said the decision followed consultations with leaders from the UK, France, New Zealand, and Japan over the past two weeks.
“There is a rare opportunity before us, and Australia will join the international community in seizing it,” he said.
On Sunday, tens of thousands joined a pro-Palestinian march across Sydney Harbour Bridge, one day after a court ruling allowed the demonstration to proceed.
