Australia to Recognise Palestinian State in September: ‘Israel Defies International Law’

Canberra (Quds News Network)- Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Monday, describing it as “an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine.”

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Canberra, Albanese called a two-state solution “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 Israel was “continuing to defy international law” and said the humanitarian situation in Gaza “has gone beyond the world’s worst fears.”

He added that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call Thursday that a political solution was needed, not a military one.

In a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Albanese said Australia’s decision was “further compelled” by Netanyahu’s disregard for international calls to change course and his government’s expansion of settlements, threats of annexation in the occupied territories, and explicit opposition to a Palestinian state.

A day after announcing the move, Albanese said that frustration with the Israeli occupation amid the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza had contributed to Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

“[Netanyahu] again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people,” Albanese said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC on Tuesday.

Neighboring New Zealand is also weighing recognition. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s cabinet will decide in September and present its position during the UN Leaders’ Week. “We will carefully weigh up our position over the next month on recognition of a state of Palestine,” Peters said.

The foreign ministries of Qatar and Saudi Arabia have welcomed the Australian move as well as the announcement by New Zealand. The French president has also praised Australia’s decision.

Australia’s move follows similar commitments by the United Kingdom, France and Canada in recent weeks.

France and 14 other countries co-signed a declaration that pointed towards a wave of future recognitions of an independent Palestinian state.

The New York Call, published by the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, on Wednesday, said signatories “have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine”.

The signatories include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, each of which has not yet recognised an independent Palestinian state. They also include Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, which have.

The statement, which was published before the conclusion of a three-day UN conference set on reviving a two-state solution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine said the states would “reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution.” It stressed the “importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority”.

The plans of recognition come amid growing pressure on Israel to end its ongoing genocide in Gaza, which began in October 2023. More than 60,000 people have been killed so far, the majority children and women.

Malta also announced it will recognise Palestine as a state during the UN general assembly meeting. Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday, “Our position reflects our commitment to efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Last year, amid Israel’s assault on Gaza, nine countries – Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados – formally recognised the State of Palestine, reflecting growing international support.

Currently, almost l50 UN member states recognise the State of Palestine.