Which countries recognise the state of Palestine. What would statehood look like?
France is set to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, bringing the total to 148 countries.
Currently, there is no Palestinian state.
Instead, there are the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which include Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Only the Jewish state — Israel — exists.
Some Palestinians live in Israel as citizens. Others live as refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt.
As of March 2025, the state of Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign nation by 147 of 193 member states of the United Nations, about 75 per cent.
In 2024, a group of UN experts called on all United Nations member states to recognise the State of Palestine, in order to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid the Israel-Gaza war.
Since then, nine countries — Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados — formally recognised the State of Palestine.
Most of the Middle East, Africa and Asia recognise Palestinian statehood.
On Thursday, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognise a Palestinian state in hopes it would bring peace to the region.
In response to Mr Macron's move, Mr Netanyahu said that such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy".
"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it," Mr Netanyahu said in a post on X.
In other parts of Europe, Slovenia, Malta and Belgium are yet to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea also do not.
Australia does not recognise a Palestinian state.
On its website, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade states Australia is: "Committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders."
The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has argued that Australia symbolically recognising Palestinian statehood would mean "establishing a formal diplomatic relationship with Palestine".
Australia currently has an ambassador to Israel, but only a representative to Palestine.
In recent comments, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not refer directly to recognising Palestine, but pointed to Australia's long-standing ambitions around recognition.
"Recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own has long been a bipartisan position in Australia," Mr Albanese said.
"The reason a two-state solution remains the goal of the international community is because a just and lasting peace depends upon it.
"Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within secure and internationally recognised borders."
Last year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated Australia was considering recognising a Palestinian state as part of a peace process, rather than at the endpoint.
This week, Australia joined 27 other countries demanding an immediate end to the war.
In November 2024, Australia voted in favour of a draft United Nations resolution recognising "permanent sovereignty" of Palestinians and the Golan Heights to natural resources in the Occupied Territories for the first time in more than two decades.
A total of 159 countries voted in favour of the draft resolution in a UN committee, including Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Germany and Japan.
The State of Palestine was formally declared by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on November 15, 1988.
It claims sovereignty over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
According to senior lecturer in law at the University of South Australia, Juliette McIntyre, a state has certain defining features under international law.
These features include a permanent population, a determinate territory, an "effective" government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
"In some ways, the most important thing is recognition by other states — this enables entering into diplomatic relations, and membership of international organisations," Dr McIntyre said.
She added that the governance of a Palestinian state could look like "free and fair elections for all Palestinians exercising their right of self-determination".
Recognising a Palestinian state could mean the beginning of a "two-state solution" where both a Jewish state and an Arab state would exist at the same time.
"A two-state solution requires two states. Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has been found to be unlawful.
The two-state solution is still widely regarded by world leaders as the only way to end the conflict, but is not as popular in Israel and parts of the occupied Palestinian territories.
"The territorial integrity of both states should be respected, and new borders could only come about by treaty agreement between both states," Dr McIntyre said.
On Wednesday, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, voted 71-13 in favour of annexation of the West Bank, raising questions about the future of a Palestinian state.
The non-binding vote was backed by members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, as well as some opposition members of parliament.
In a recent post on X, Mr Netanyahu said: "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel."
Both Mr Netanyahu and other members of Israel's parliament have shown their lack of support for a two-state solution.
This year, the UN, which largely supports a two-state solution, will hold an international conference on the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York from July 28 to 29.
The United States has opted out of attendance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
US envoy visits Gaza sites as UN says hundreds of aid-seekers killed
President Donald Trump's special envoy inspected a US-backed food distribution centre in war-torn Gaza on Friday, as the UN rights office reported that Israeli forces had killed hundreds of hungry Palestinians waiting for aid. The visit by Steve Witkoff came as a report from global advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) also accused Israeli forces of presiding over "regular bloodbaths" close to the US-backed aid points. The UN's rights office in the Palestinian territories said at least 1,373 people had been killed seeking aid in Gaza since May 27 -- 105 of them in the last two days of July. "Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli military," the UN office said, breaking down the death toll into 859 killed near the US-backed food sites and 514 along routes used by UN and aid agency convoys. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, posted on X that he and Witkoff had visited Gaza "to learn the truth" about the private aid sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by the United States. "We received briefings from IDF (the Israeli military) and spoke to folks on the ground. GHF delivers more than one million meals a day, an incredible feat!" Huckabee said. "Hamas hates GHF because it gets food to people without it being looted by Hamas." The foundation, on its own X account, posted that it had been a "privilege and honor" to host Witkoff and Huckabee as the group delivered its 100-millionth meal in Gaza, fulfilling Trump's "call to lead with strength, compassion and action". Gaza's civil defence agency said 11 people were killed by Israeli fire and air strikes on Friday, including two who were waiting near an aid distribution site run by GHF. GHF largely sidelined the longstanding UN-led humanitarian system just as Israel was beginning to ease a more than two-month aid blockade that exacerbated existing shortages of food and other essentials. - 'Beyond imagination' - In its report on the GHF centres on Friday, Human Rights Watch accused the Israeli military of illegally using starvation as a weapon of war. "Israeli forces are not only deliberately starving Palestinian civilians, but they are now gunning them down almost every day as they desperately seek food for their families," said Belkis Wille, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch. "US-backed Israeli forces and private contractors have put in place a flawed, militarised aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths." Responding to the report, the military said GHF worked independently, but that Israeli soldiers operated "in proximity to the new distribution areas in order to enable the orderly delivery of food". It accused Hamas of trying to prevent food distribution and said that it was conducting a review of the reported deaths, adding it worked to "minimise, as much as possible, any friction between the civilian population" and its forces. After arriving in Israel on Thursday, Witkoff held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over how to resolve the almost 22-month-old war, feed desperate civilians and free the remaining hostages held by Palestinian militants. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and free the captives, but is under international pressure to end the bloodshed that has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians and threatened many more with famine. Following his discussions with Witkoff, Netanyahu met Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of Germany, another staunch Israeli ally, who nonetheless delivered a blunt message. "The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is beyond imagination," Wadephul told reporters after the meeting, urging the government "to provide humanitarian and medical aid to prevent mass starvation from becoming a reality". "I have the impression that this has been understood today," he added. - Hostage video - On Thursday, the armed wing of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad released a video showing German-Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, 21, watching recent news footage of the crisis in Gaza and pleading with the Israeli government to secure his release. "Even the strongest person has a breaking point," his family said in a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel. "Rom is an example of all the hostages. They must all be brought home now." On Friday, Wadephul also met relatives of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. According to the German foreign office, among the 49 hostages still held, a "single-digit" number are German-Israeli dual nationals "Germany continues to do everything in our power to achieve the release of the hostages," Wadephul said, expressing outrage at the video release. This "horrible" footage reveals "once again the utter depravity of the kidnappers", he added. The Hamas-led October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official figures. Of the 251 people taken hostage, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 declared dead by the Israeli military. The retaliatory Israeli offensive has killed at least 60,249 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. This week UN aid agencies said deaths from starvation had begun.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Ambitious emission targets best shot at saving the reef
Ambitious 2035 emissions reductions targets give Australia the best shot at preserving the Great Barrier Reef, according to a Climate Change Authority report. The report calls on Australia to adopt the "no regret" strategy for the sake of one of the nation's biggest natural assets and tourist attractions. The authority, which advises government, singles in on two key opportunities to spearhead global efforts to drive down emissions, as the federal government prepares to unveil new 2035 targets in coming months. It urges "ambitious" targets that offer credible pathway to cut emissions globally to maximise the chance of preserving the reef, which is under increasing threat. "Addressing both domestic and offshore emissions will be critical," it notes. The report also points to making the most of a joint bid with the Pacific to host the COP31 climate conference, which offers a platform to drive international momentum in areas that increase the odds to holding global warming to 1.5C. "Acting now to increase emissions reductions is a 'no regrets' strategy" the report says. "While parts of the Great Barrier Reef have already been significantly altered by climate warming, deeper and faster reductions will maximise the chance of preserving this natural asset for the future." This week, the United Nations ramped up pressure on Australia to set a more ambitious climate target and cut emissions by 60 per cent. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen insists Australia is on track to meet the 2030 target, which is 43 per cent. Ambitious 2035 emissions reductions targets give Australia the best shot at preserving the Great Barrier Reef, according to a Climate Change Authority report. The report calls on Australia to adopt the "no regret" strategy for the sake of one of the nation's biggest natural assets and tourist attractions. The authority, which advises government, singles in on two key opportunities to spearhead global efforts to drive down emissions, as the federal government prepares to unveil new 2035 targets in coming months. It urges "ambitious" targets that offer credible pathway to cut emissions globally to maximise the chance of preserving the reef, which is under increasing threat. "Addressing both domestic and offshore emissions will be critical," it notes. The report also points to making the most of a joint bid with the Pacific to host the COP31 climate conference, which offers a platform to drive international momentum in areas that increase the odds to holding global warming to 1.5C. "Acting now to increase emissions reductions is a 'no regrets' strategy" the report says. "While parts of the Great Barrier Reef have already been significantly altered by climate warming, deeper and faster reductions will maximise the chance of preserving this natural asset for the future." This week, the United Nations ramped up pressure on Australia to set a more ambitious climate target and cut emissions by 60 per cent. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen insists Australia is on track to meet the 2030 target, which is 43 per cent. Ambitious 2035 emissions reductions targets give Australia the best shot at preserving the Great Barrier Reef, according to a Climate Change Authority report. The report calls on Australia to adopt the "no regret" strategy for the sake of one of the nation's biggest natural assets and tourist attractions. The authority, which advises government, singles in on two key opportunities to spearhead global efforts to drive down emissions, as the federal government prepares to unveil new 2035 targets in coming months. It urges "ambitious" targets that offer credible pathway to cut emissions globally to maximise the chance of preserving the reef, which is under increasing threat. "Addressing both domestic and offshore emissions will be critical," it notes. The report also points to making the most of a joint bid with the Pacific to host the COP31 climate conference, which offers a platform to drive international momentum in areas that increase the odds to holding global warming to 1.5C. "Acting now to increase emissions reductions is a 'no regrets' strategy" the report says. "While parts of the Great Barrier Reef have already been significantly altered by climate warming, deeper and faster reductions will maximise the chance of preserving this natural asset for the future." This week, the United Nations ramped up pressure on Australia to set a more ambitious climate target and cut emissions by 60 per cent. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen insists Australia is on track to meet the 2030 target, which is 43 per cent. Ambitious 2035 emissions reductions targets give Australia the best shot at preserving the Great Barrier Reef, according to a Climate Change Authority report. The report calls on Australia to adopt the "no regret" strategy for the sake of one of the nation's biggest natural assets and tourist attractions. The authority, which advises government, singles in on two key opportunities to spearhead global efforts to drive down emissions, as the federal government prepares to unveil new 2035 targets in coming months. It urges "ambitious" targets that offer credible pathway to cut emissions globally to maximise the chance of preserving the reef, which is under increasing threat. "Addressing both domestic and offshore emissions will be critical," it notes. The report also points to making the most of a joint bid with the Pacific to host the COP31 climate conference, which offers a platform to drive international momentum in areas that increase the odds to holding global warming to 1.5C. "Acting now to increase emissions reductions is a 'no regrets' strategy" the report says. "While parts of the Great Barrier Reef have already been significantly altered by climate warming, deeper and faster reductions will maximise the chance of preserving this natural asset for the future." This week, the United Nations ramped up pressure on Australia to set a more ambitious climate target and cut emissions by 60 per cent. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen insists Australia is on track to meet the 2030 target, which is 43 per cent.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Decision left up in the air over pro-Palestine march
It is "inevitable" thousands of people will march over an Australian landmark for Palestine rights. But whether police will be able to bar protesters from blocking public roads and infrastructure on Sunday is yet to be determined, after a Supreme Court judge ruled she would sleep on her decision. Aimed at shining a spotlight on starvation in Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive, the rally at the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been hyped by organisers as a "March for Humanity". Similar demonstrations are planned in Melbourne and Adelaide and an online petition to allow the Sydney march has attracted more than 15,000 signatures. NSW Police on Friday took the demonstration's organisers, Palestine Action Group, to the Supreme Court in Sydney to request the rally be deemed unauthorised. NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure but a court can revoke those immunities if police challenge the permit. Representing state police, Lachlan Gyles SC argued they would not be able to maintain a safe environment if the protest was authorised and closing the bridge was not reasonable with less than a week's notice. Under cross-examination, acting Assistant Police Commissioner Adam Johnson raised the possibility of a crowd crush. "I'm personally concerned about that," he said on Friday. But Palestine Action Group barrister Felicity Graham told the court it would be safer for police to authorise the protest, as people would march regardless of Justice Belinda Rigg's decision. "A prohibition order may well increase the number of people who attend the protest and exacerbate the potential for unrest and violence," she said. The group had vowed to rally regardless of the judge's decision, with spokesman Josh Lees saying the groundswell of support was unstoppable. A last-minute application on Friday was lodged to police by a pro-Israel fringe group to also protest in the tunnel under Sydney Harbour, the court heard. Police confirmed to AAP the group withdrew the application soon after. Five NSW Labor MPs and Greens senator David Shoebridge are among 16 politicians planning to join the march. They had urged the government to facilitate a safe and orderly event on Sunday or "some other agreed date". Outspoken upper house government MP Stephen Lawrence went a step further. He predicted Premier Chris Minns' perceived interference in police negotiations with protesters would hamper the court's ability to thwart the bridge plans. "The circumstances of this protest are not ideal, but the event is now absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled," he said on Friday morning. Mr Minns softened his largely anti-protest stance on Friday and said he hoped organisers would work with police to find an alternative route. "There are thousands of people that want to be part of the protest. It's not deniable and many people have been struck by images that have come out of Gaza," he said. Mr Minns had earlier suggested the Harbour Bridge protest would bring "chaos" to Sydney. Mr Lawrence and fellow MP Sarah Kaine said the premier's position ran counter to Labor Party values. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza is now more than 60,000 according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks because of starvation. Israel's campaign began after Hamas, which Australia has designated as terror group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 250 hostage. Justice Riggs has reserved her decision until 10am on Saturday. It is "inevitable" thousands of people will march over an Australian landmark for Palestine rights. But whether police will be able to bar protesters from blocking public roads and infrastructure on Sunday is yet to be determined, after a Supreme Court judge ruled she would sleep on her decision. Aimed at shining a spotlight on starvation in Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive, the rally at the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been hyped by organisers as a "March for Humanity". Similar demonstrations are planned in Melbourne and Adelaide and an online petition to allow the Sydney march has attracted more than 15,000 signatures. NSW Police on Friday took the demonstration's organisers, Palestine Action Group, to the Supreme Court in Sydney to request the rally be deemed unauthorised. NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure but a court can revoke those immunities if police challenge the permit. Representing state police, Lachlan Gyles SC argued they would not be able to maintain a safe environment if the protest was authorised and closing the bridge was not reasonable with less than a week's notice. Under cross-examination, acting Assistant Police Commissioner Adam Johnson raised the possibility of a crowd crush. "I'm personally concerned about that," he said on Friday. But Palestine Action Group barrister Felicity Graham told the court it would be safer for police to authorise the protest, as people would march regardless of Justice Belinda Rigg's decision. "A prohibition order may well increase the number of people who attend the protest and exacerbate the potential for unrest and violence," she said. The group had vowed to rally regardless of the judge's decision, with spokesman Josh Lees saying the groundswell of support was unstoppable. A last-minute application on Friday was lodged to police by a pro-Israel fringe group to also protest in the tunnel under Sydney Harbour, the court heard. Police confirmed to AAP the group withdrew the application soon after. Five NSW Labor MPs and Greens senator David Shoebridge are among 16 politicians planning to join the march. They had urged the government to facilitate a safe and orderly event on Sunday or "some other agreed date". Outspoken upper house government MP Stephen Lawrence went a step further. He predicted Premier Chris Minns' perceived interference in police negotiations with protesters would hamper the court's ability to thwart the bridge plans. "The circumstances of this protest are not ideal, but the event is now absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled," he said on Friday morning. Mr Minns softened his largely anti-protest stance on Friday and said he hoped organisers would work with police to find an alternative route. "There are thousands of people that want to be part of the protest. It's not deniable and many people have been struck by images that have come out of Gaza," he said. Mr Minns had earlier suggested the Harbour Bridge protest would bring "chaos" to Sydney. Mr Lawrence and fellow MP Sarah Kaine said the premier's position ran counter to Labor Party values. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza is now more than 60,000 according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks because of starvation. Israel's campaign began after Hamas, which Australia has designated as terror group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 250 hostage. Justice Riggs has reserved her decision until 10am on Saturday. It is "inevitable" thousands of people will march over an Australian landmark for Palestine rights. But whether police will be able to bar protesters from blocking public roads and infrastructure on Sunday is yet to be determined, after a Supreme Court judge ruled she would sleep on her decision. Aimed at shining a spotlight on starvation in Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive, the rally at the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been hyped by organisers as a "March for Humanity". Similar demonstrations are planned in Melbourne and Adelaide and an online petition to allow the Sydney march has attracted more than 15,000 signatures. NSW Police on Friday took the demonstration's organisers, Palestine Action Group, to the Supreme Court in Sydney to request the rally be deemed unauthorised. NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure but a court can revoke those immunities if police challenge the permit. Representing state police, Lachlan Gyles SC argued they would not be able to maintain a safe environment if the protest was authorised and closing the bridge was not reasonable with less than a week's notice. Under cross-examination, acting Assistant Police Commissioner Adam Johnson raised the possibility of a crowd crush. "I'm personally concerned about that," he said on Friday. But Palestine Action Group barrister Felicity Graham told the court it would be safer for police to authorise the protest, as people would march regardless of Justice Belinda Rigg's decision. "A prohibition order may well increase the number of people who attend the protest and exacerbate the potential for unrest and violence," she said. The group had vowed to rally regardless of the judge's decision, with spokesman Josh Lees saying the groundswell of support was unstoppable. A last-minute application on Friday was lodged to police by a pro-Israel fringe group to also protest in the tunnel under Sydney Harbour, the court heard. Police confirmed to AAP the group withdrew the application soon after. Five NSW Labor MPs and Greens senator David Shoebridge are among 16 politicians planning to join the march. They had urged the government to facilitate a safe and orderly event on Sunday or "some other agreed date". Outspoken upper house government MP Stephen Lawrence went a step further. He predicted Premier Chris Minns' perceived interference in police negotiations with protesters would hamper the court's ability to thwart the bridge plans. "The circumstances of this protest are not ideal, but the event is now absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled," he said on Friday morning. Mr Minns softened his largely anti-protest stance on Friday and said he hoped organisers would work with police to find an alternative route. "There are thousands of people that want to be part of the protest. It's not deniable and many people have been struck by images that have come out of Gaza," he said. Mr Minns had earlier suggested the Harbour Bridge protest would bring "chaos" to Sydney. Mr Lawrence and fellow MP Sarah Kaine said the premier's position ran counter to Labor Party values. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza is now more than 60,000 according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks because of starvation. Israel's campaign began after Hamas, which Australia has designated as terror group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 250 hostage. Justice Riggs has reserved her decision until 10am on Saturday. It is "inevitable" thousands of people will march over an Australian landmark for Palestine rights. But whether police will be able to bar protesters from blocking public roads and infrastructure on Sunday is yet to be determined, after a Supreme Court judge ruled she would sleep on her decision. Aimed at shining a spotlight on starvation in Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive, the rally at the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been hyped by organisers as a "March for Humanity". Similar demonstrations are planned in Melbourne and Adelaide and an online petition to allow the Sydney march has attracted more than 15,000 signatures. NSW Police on Friday took the demonstration's organisers, Palestine Action Group, to the Supreme Court in Sydney to request the rally be deemed unauthorised. NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure but a court can revoke those immunities if police challenge the permit. Representing state police, Lachlan Gyles SC argued they would not be able to maintain a safe environment if the protest was authorised and closing the bridge was not reasonable with less than a week's notice. Under cross-examination, acting Assistant Police Commissioner Adam Johnson raised the possibility of a crowd crush. "I'm personally concerned about that," he said on Friday. But Palestine Action Group barrister Felicity Graham told the court it would be safer for police to authorise the protest, as people would march regardless of Justice Belinda Rigg's decision. "A prohibition order may well increase the number of people who attend the protest and exacerbate the potential for unrest and violence," she said. The group had vowed to rally regardless of the judge's decision, with spokesman Josh Lees saying the groundswell of support was unstoppable. A last-minute application on Friday was lodged to police by a pro-Israel fringe group to also protest in the tunnel under Sydney Harbour, the court heard. Police confirmed to AAP the group withdrew the application soon after. Five NSW Labor MPs and Greens senator David Shoebridge are among 16 politicians planning to join the march. They had urged the government to facilitate a safe and orderly event on Sunday or "some other agreed date". Outspoken upper house government MP Stephen Lawrence went a step further. He predicted Premier Chris Minns' perceived interference in police negotiations with protesters would hamper the court's ability to thwart the bridge plans. "The circumstances of this protest are not ideal, but the event is now absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled," he said on Friday morning. Mr Minns softened his largely anti-protest stance on Friday and said he hoped organisers would work with police to find an alternative route. "There are thousands of people that want to be part of the protest. It's not deniable and many people have been struck by images that have come out of Gaza," he said. Mr Minns had earlier suggested the Harbour Bridge protest would bring "chaos" to Sydney. Mr Lawrence and fellow MP Sarah Kaine said the premier's position ran counter to Labor Party values. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza is now more than 60,000 according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks because of starvation. Israel's campaign began after Hamas, which Australia has designated as terror group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 250 hostage. Justice Riggs has reserved her decision until 10am on Saturday.
