‘People are sick of it': Anthony Albanese hits back at critics of historic move
Speaking to Channel 7's Sunrise this morning, the Prime Minister said that Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state was about breaking the cycle of violence.
'What it does is send a message that the international community is saying enough is enough,' Mr Albanese said.
'This is a conflict that has gone on now for 77 years.
'You can't just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome.
'This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution.'
Mr Albanese said the international community was saying that a solution was needed that promotes security for the state of Israel but also recognises the political aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state.
'That's why countries like the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and now Australia, but other countries, as well, will be joining in September at the United Nations to join the 147 countries that have already recognised Palestine,' he said.
'Gaza reduced to rubble. Tens of thousands of innocent lives being lost, innocent … kids being killed while trying to get basic essentials of food and water.
'We just can't keep going the same way. The world is watching. People are sick of it. It's horrific watching that.'
But Liberal frontbencher Michaelia Cash has accused the Prime Minister of 'rewarding terrorists' as a result of recognising the Palestinian state before Hamas has released the hostages.
'You don't achieve peace, by rewarding terrorists,' she told ABC radio.
'In making his announcement to recognise Palestine prior to a return of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas, Mr Albanese has effectively delivered Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation, one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism on October 7.
'The Coalition is clear: you don't reward terrorists while they're still holding innocent people captive.'
The Prime Minister was asked what Australia would do if the United States vetoes any effort to address the conflict in Gaza during the next general assembly in September.
'We will see how this plays out. But the world is coming together,' he said.
'We want to see the world move forward on this and certainly President Trump has been a strong advocate for peace.
'President Trump will, of course, make decisions based upon the interests of the United States. We're not big players in the Middle East, that is true, but this is a part of building that momentum of the world.'
Israel's ambassador to Australia has unleashed on the decision to recognise the Palestinian state, warning 'peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it'.
Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement on Monday, Amir Maimon said it was a huge mistake.
'By recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel's security, derails hostage negotiations and hands a victory to those who oppose coexistence,' he said.
'Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends the dangerous message that violence brings political gains.
'By recognising a Palestinian state now, Australia elevates the position of Hamas, a group it acknowledges as a terrorist organisation, while weakening the cause of those working to end violence and achieve genuine, lasting peace.'
Mr Albanese announced the move at a press conference in Canberra on Monday following a meeting of the federal cabinet.
In making the landmark announcement, Mr Albanese said he had told Mr Netanyahu directly that 'the situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears'.
'Today I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine,' he said.
'Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority.
'We will work with the international community to make this right a reality. Australia is making this statement today following our Cabinet meeting. As part of a co-ordinated global effort, building momentum for a two-state solution.'
Mr Albanese said he had discussed the move with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France President Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as well as Mr Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
'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,' he said.
'Australia has stood with the people of Israel and our partners and allies around the world in calling for the release of the hostages.
'For the sake of the loved ones and all who share in their pain, we repeat that call today.
'Our government has made it clear that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state.
'This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed it recognises Israel's right to exist in peace and security.
'It has committed to demilitarise and to hold General Elections. It has pledged to abolish the system of payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs and promised broader reform of governance, financial transparency and the education system, including international oversight, to guard against the incitement of violence and hatred.
'These detailed and significant commitments have been given even greater weight by the Arab League's unprecedented demand for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
'This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that isolates Hamas, disarms it and drives it out of the region once and for all.
'The international community is moving to establish a Palestinian state, it is opposing actions which undermine the two state solution.'
The move was immediately welcomed by Labor MP Ed Husic who had called on Mr Albanese to recognise Palestine.
'Good. We absolutely should. The sooner the better,' Mr Husic said.
It follows a warning from Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, that he was 'deeply concerned that the timing and substance of this policy reversal will embolden Hamas, further jeopardise the lives of Israeli hostages, prolong the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and place more strain on the longstanding alliance between Australia and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East'.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong reportedly told her Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that Australia was set to join Britain, Canada and France in recognising Palestine at the UN in September.
Mr Netanyahu criticised Australia on Sunday (Monday AEST) for following Europe down a 'rabbit hole' of recognising Palestine, asking what Mr Albanese would have done if terrorists had attacked Melbourne or Sydney.
'Those who say that Israel has a right to defend itself are also saying, 'But don't exercise that right',' he said.
'I think we're actually applying force judiciously, and they know it.
'They know what they would do if right next to Melbourne, or right next to Sydney, if you had this horrific attack.'
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8 minutes ago
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