Albanese to address country as Palestine recognition buzz grows
Pressure has been mounting on the Prime Minister to do so, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issuing a dire warning against any change.
'Today, I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine,' Mr Albanese said on Monday afternoon.
'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.'
Mr Albanese said the two-state solution was '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.'
Though, Mr Albanese made clear that 'there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state'.
He said he had secured this commitment from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
'The Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed it recognises Israel's right to exist in peace and security,' he said.
'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 in 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 ruling government and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.'
Mr Albanese said he arrived at the decision after speaking with other world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
'The international community's vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states living side-by-side with internationally recognised borders, a state of Israel and a state of Palestine with security for the people of both nations,' he said.
The vow goes against the wishes of the Trump administration, which has argued recognising Palestine would benefit Hamas, which still holds swathes of Gaza.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke with US counterpart Marco Rubio.
A readout put out by the US Embassy said they discussed 'issues in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, along with global efforts to combat antisemitism'.
Senator Wong, speaking alongside Mr Albanese, confirmed she informed Mr Rubio 'as a matter of diplomatic courtesy'.
Asked if she was concerned Monday's announcement would negatively impact the Australia's relationship with the US, Senator Wong said the Albanese government did not represent Washington. 'False hope': Lambie's Palestine warning
'We speak for Australia,' she said.
'We make our decision sovereign decisions.'
More to come
Originally published as Australia to recognise Palestine at UNGA
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