'Best opportunity' for peace: PM defends Palestine call
Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed Australia would back recognition of a state of Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September.
The move brings Australia into line with allies such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which have already outlined similar plans for recognition.
Mr Albanese deflected criticism that recognition would do little on the ground in Gaza, saying a different approach is needed to end the conflict.
"This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Tuesday.
"To continue to do the same thing is not enough."
The prime minister said the international community was sending a message, in recognising a Palestinian state, that the status quo in the Middle East could not continue.
"The international community are saying we need to find a solution that provides security for the state of Israel but also recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state," he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said statehood would give the Palestinian people a sense of hope for the future.
"We know this is a hard road to walk, but the alternative is to accept where we are, and I think the international community is saying to both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples we have to find a different path," she told ABC radio.
"The practical steps for recognition will be tied to the commitments that the Palestinian Authority have made."
The commitments include the assurance that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation and controls Gaza, will play no role in any future government.
Israel has criticised the move, saying it will be counterproductive to peace in the Gaza Strip and its demands for the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said Palestinian recognition would "not change the reality on the ground".
Liberal MP Tim Wilson, whose Victorian seat of Goldstein includes Jewish voters, says Mr Albanese's decision is "actually immoral".
"We can't have a situation where we have a government that is kowtowing, literally, to the ambitions of ... terrorists," he told Nine's Today show, referring to Hamas.
"They're essentially handing over the keys to the kingdom.
"What they've done is actually immoral."
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the decision by Australia on social media, saying it showed a commitment to a two-state solution, which includes the state of Israel.
More than two million Palestinians face severe food insecurity, based on United Nations projections.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier in August to call on the government to sanction Israel.
The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Israel has denied the population is suffering or dying from starvation, even though it has throttled the flow of aid to Gaza for months, international human rights groups have said.
Palestinian statehood is the best chance for a long-term solution to the Middle East conflict, the prime minister says, despite concerns it could be counterproductive for peace.
Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed Australia would back recognition of a state of Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September.
The move brings Australia into line with allies such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which have already outlined similar plans for recognition.
Mr Albanese deflected criticism that recognition would do little on the ground in Gaza, saying a different approach is needed to end the conflict.
"This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Tuesday.
"To continue to do the same thing is not enough."
The prime minister said the international community was sending a message, in recognising a Palestinian state, that the status quo in the Middle East could not continue.
"The international community are saying we need to find a solution that provides security for the state of Israel but also recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state," he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said statehood would give the Palestinian people a sense of hope for the future.
"We know this is a hard road to walk, but the alternative is to accept where we are, and I think the international community is saying to both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples we have to find a different path," she told ABC radio.
"The practical steps for recognition will be tied to the commitments that the Palestinian Authority have made."
The commitments include the assurance that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation and controls Gaza, will play no role in any future government.
Israel has criticised the move, saying it will be counterproductive to peace in the Gaza Strip and its demands for the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said Palestinian recognition would "not change the reality on the ground".
Liberal MP Tim Wilson, whose Victorian seat of Goldstein includes Jewish voters, says Mr Albanese's decision is "actually immoral".
"We can't have a situation where we have a government that is kowtowing, literally, to the ambitions of ... terrorists," he told Nine's Today show, referring to Hamas.
"They're essentially handing over the keys to the kingdom.
"What they've done is actually immoral."
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the decision by Australia on social media, saying it showed a commitment to a two-state solution, which includes the state of Israel.
More than two million Palestinians face severe food insecurity, based on United Nations projections.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier in August to call on the government to sanction Israel.
The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Israel has denied the population is suffering or dying from starvation, even though it has throttled the flow of aid to Gaza for months, international human rights groups have said.
Palestinian statehood is the best chance for a long-term solution to the Middle East conflict, the prime minister says, despite concerns it could be counterproductive for peace.
Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed Australia would back recognition of a state of Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September.
The move brings Australia into line with allies such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which have already outlined similar plans for recognition.
Mr Albanese deflected criticism that recognition would do little on the ground in Gaza, saying a different approach is needed to end the conflict.
"This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Tuesday.
"To continue to do the same thing is not enough."
The prime minister said the international community was sending a message, in recognising a Palestinian state, that the status quo in the Middle East could not continue.
"The international community are saying we need to find a solution that provides security for the state of Israel but also recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state," he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said statehood would give the Palestinian people a sense of hope for the future.
"We know this is a hard road to walk, but the alternative is to accept where we are, and I think the international community is saying to both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples we have to find a different path," she told ABC radio.
"The practical steps for recognition will be tied to the commitments that the Palestinian Authority have made."
The commitments include the assurance that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation and controls Gaza, will play no role in any future government.
Israel has criticised the move, saying it will be counterproductive to peace in the Gaza Strip and its demands for the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said Palestinian recognition would "not change the reality on the ground".
Liberal MP Tim Wilson, whose Victorian seat of Goldstein includes Jewish voters, says Mr Albanese's decision is "actually immoral".
"We can't have a situation where we have a government that is kowtowing, literally, to the ambitions of ... terrorists," he told Nine's Today show, referring to Hamas.
"They're essentially handing over the keys to the kingdom.
"What they've done is actually immoral."
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the decision by Australia on social media, saying it showed a commitment to a two-state solution, which includes the state of Israel.
More than two million Palestinians face severe food insecurity, based on United Nations projections.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier in August to call on the government to sanction Israel.
The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Israel has denied the population is suffering or dying from starvation, even though it has throttled the flow of aid to Gaza for months, international human rights groups have said.
Palestinian statehood is the best chance for a long-term solution to the Middle East conflict, the prime minister says, despite concerns it could be counterproductive for peace.
Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed Australia would back recognition of a state of Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September.
The move brings Australia into line with allies such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which have already outlined similar plans for recognition.
Mr Albanese deflected criticism that recognition would do little on the ground in Gaza, saying a different approach is needed to end the conflict.
"This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Tuesday.
"To continue to do the same thing is not enough."
The prime minister said the international community was sending a message, in recognising a Palestinian state, that the status quo in the Middle East could not continue.
"The international community are saying we need to find a solution that provides security for the state of Israel but also recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state," he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said statehood would give the Palestinian people a sense of hope for the future.
"We know this is a hard road to walk, but the alternative is to accept where we are, and I think the international community is saying to both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples we have to find a different path," she told ABC radio.
"The practical steps for recognition will be tied to the commitments that the Palestinian Authority have made."
The commitments include the assurance that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation and controls Gaza, will play no role in any future government.
Israel has criticised the move, saying it will be counterproductive to peace in the Gaza Strip and its demands for the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said Palestinian recognition would "not change the reality on the ground".
Liberal MP Tim Wilson, whose Victorian seat of Goldstein includes Jewish voters, says Mr Albanese's decision is "actually immoral".
"We can't have a situation where we have a government that is kowtowing, literally, to the ambitions of ... terrorists," he told Nine's Today show, referring to Hamas.
"They're essentially handing over the keys to the kingdom.
"What they've done is actually immoral."
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the decision by Australia on social media, saying it showed a commitment to a two-state solution, which includes the state of Israel.
More than two million Palestinians face severe food insecurity, based on United Nations projections.
At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier in August to call on the government to sanction Israel.
The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Israel has denied the population is suffering or dying from starvation, even though it has throttled the flow of aid to Gaza for months, international human rights groups have said.
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Sydney Morning Herald
23 minutes ago
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‘Not married to one solution': Trump won't criticise Albanese's Palestine state call
Washington: The White House has declined to criticise Australia's announcement that it will recognise a Palestinian state, saying President Donald Trump was 'not married to any one solution' on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While Trump has mocked the significance of France recognising Palestine, and insinuated on TruthSocial that Canada making the same move could impact trade talks, he has stayed silent since Canberra's announcement. The White House also rebuffed numerous requests for comment ahead of Australia's decision, pointing only to Trump's public remarks about other countries. But on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), when asked specifically about Australia's move to recognise Palestine, a White House official indicated that while Trump was not going to recognise Palestine himself, he had an open mind on the issue. 'As the President stated, he would be rewarding Hamas if he recognises a Palestinian state, and he doesn't think they should be rewarded. So he is not going to do that,' the official said. Loading 'However, the President is not married to any one solution as it pertains to building a more peaceful region.' However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio continued to say it was meaningless for other countries to recognise the territory as a sovereign state, arguing governments were choosing to do so now due to domestic political considerations. Asked by New York radio personality Sid Rosenberg about the moves by Australia, Ireland and others, Rubio said: 'It's symbolic, and they're doing it primarily for one reason, and that is their internal politics, their domestic politics.
The Age
23 minutes ago
- The Age
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The Advertiser
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A decision to announce Palestinian recognition after its allies might have allowed Australia to escape backlash from the US. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Australia will join the UK, Canada and France in recognising Palestinian statehood at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, after mounting pressure to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. The US has long been one of Australia's most important allies, but for decades it has remained staunchly opposed to the recognition of Palestine. While some have argued Australia's decision to break from the US could imperil the bilateral relationship, Flinders University international relations lecturer Jessica Genauer says the federal government's diplomatic calculus has helped dampen any impact. "Because Australia waited until other important countries all said they're planning to recognise Palestine ... I don't think it will be singled out by the US," Dr Genauer told AAP. "The Trump administration is opposed to countries recognising Palestine, but I think that they would put Australia in with a whole group of other countries and it wouldn't particularly be detrimental to Australia's relationship." Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, the Labor government has intentionally opted not to align too closely with his policy directions. Instead, Australia has worked closely with European nations and other partners to ensure it is part of a strong network of middle powers. This approach has been used to navigate a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and now with Palestinian recognition, Dr Genauer said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australia's announcement on statehood was "disrespectful" of its relationship with the US and could jeopardise peace as any ceasefire would be brokered by America. But the prime minister defended his decision. "President Trump has made it very clear he wants to see peace in the region. Australia wants to see peace in the region," he said. "We make our sovereign decisions as a nation state in Australia's national interest and we are aligning ourselves with like-minded countries." While recognising Palestine would not immediately change anything for the two million people in Gaza the UN projects are facing severe food insecurity, Dr Genauer said the move was important because it showed countries were looking for any possible way to shift the situation. More than 140 out of the 193 United Nations member states already recognise Palestine, but the addition of Australia - a strong middle power - alongside the UK and France, which have veto power in the UN Security Council, will add significant pressure. "The United States is now quite isolated in their position blocking that recognition," she said. A decision to announce Palestinian recognition after its allies might have allowed Australia to escape backlash from the US. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Australia will join the UK, Canada and France in recognising Palestinian statehood at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, after mounting pressure to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. The US has long been one of Australia's most important allies, but for decades it has remained staunchly opposed to the recognition of Palestine. While some have argued Australia's decision to break from the US could imperil the bilateral relationship, Flinders University international relations lecturer Jessica Genauer says the federal government's diplomatic calculus has helped dampen any impact. "Because Australia waited until other important countries all said they're planning to recognise Palestine ... I don't think it will be singled out by the US," Dr Genauer told AAP. "The Trump administration is opposed to countries recognising Palestine, but I think that they would put Australia in with a whole group of other countries and it wouldn't particularly be detrimental to Australia's relationship." Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, the Labor government has intentionally opted not to align too closely with his policy directions. Instead, Australia has worked closely with European nations and other partners to ensure it is part of a strong network of middle powers. This approach has been used to navigate a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and now with Palestinian recognition, Dr Genauer said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australia's announcement on statehood was "disrespectful" of its relationship with the US and could jeopardise peace as any ceasefire would be brokered by America. But the prime minister defended his decision. "President Trump has made it very clear he wants to see peace in the region. Australia wants to see peace in the region," he said. "We make our sovereign decisions as a nation state in Australia's national interest and we are aligning ourselves with like-minded countries." While recognising Palestine would not immediately change anything for the two million people in Gaza the UN projects are facing severe food insecurity, Dr Genauer said the move was important because it showed countries were looking for any possible way to shift the situation. More than 140 out of the 193 United Nations member states already recognise Palestine, but the addition of Australia - a strong middle power - alongside the UK and France, which have veto power in the UN Security Council, will add significant pressure. "The United States is now quite isolated in their position blocking that recognition," she said. A decision to announce Palestinian recognition after its allies might have allowed Australia to escape backlash from the US. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Australia will join the UK, Canada and France in recognising Palestinian statehood at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, after mounting pressure to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. The US has long been one of Australia's most important allies, but for decades it has remained staunchly opposed to the recognition of Palestine. While some have argued Australia's decision to break from the US could imperil the bilateral relationship, Flinders University international relations lecturer Jessica Genauer says the federal government's diplomatic calculus has helped dampen any impact. "Because Australia waited until other important countries all said they're planning to recognise Palestine ... I don't think it will be singled out by the US," Dr Genauer told AAP. "The Trump administration is opposed to countries recognising Palestine, but I think that they would put Australia in with a whole group of other countries and it wouldn't particularly be detrimental to Australia's relationship." Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, the Labor government has intentionally opted not to align too closely with his policy directions. Instead, Australia has worked closely with European nations and other partners to ensure it is part of a strong network of middle powers. This approach has been used to navigate a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and now with Palestinian recognition, Dr Genauer said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australia's announcement on statehood was "disrespectful" of its relationship with the US and could jeopardise peace as any ceasefire would be brokered by America. But the prime minister defended his decision. "President Trump has made it very clear he wants to see peace in the region. Australia wants to see peace in the region," he said. "We make our sovereign decisions as a nation state in Australia's national interest and we are aligning ourselves with like-minded countries." While recognising Palestine would not immediately change anything for the two million people in Gaza the UN projects are facing severe food insecurity, Dr Genauer said the move was important because it showed countries were looking for any possible way to shift the situation. More than 140 out of the 193 United Nations member states already recognise Palestine, but the addition of Australia - a strong middle power - alongside the UK and France, which have veto power in the UN Security Council, will add significant pressure. "The United States is now quite isolated in their position blocking that recognition," she said. A decision to announce Palestinian recognition after its allies might have allowed Australia to escape backlash from the US. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Australia will join the UK, Canada and France in recognising Palestinian statehood at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, after mounting pressure to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. The US has long been one of Australia's most important allies, but for decades it has remained staunchly opposed to the recognition of Palestine. While some have argued Australia's decision to break from the US could imperil the bilateral relationship, Flinders University international relations lecturer Jessica Genauer says the federal government's diplomatic calculus has helped dampen any impact. "Because Australia waited until other important countries all said they're planning to recognise Palestine ... I don't think it will be singled out by the US," Dr Genauer told AAP. "The Trump administration is opposed to countries recognising Palestine, but I think that they would put Australia in with a whole group of other countries and it wouldn't particularly be detrimental to Australia's relationship." Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, the Labor government has intentionally opted not to align too closely with his policy directions. Instead, Australia has worked closely with European nations and other partners to ensure it is part of a strong network of middle powers. This approach has been used to navigate a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and now with Palestinian recognition, Dr Genauer said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australia's announcement on statehood was "disrespectful" of its relationship with the US and could jeopardise peace as any ceasefire would be brokered by America. But the prime minister defended his decision. "President Trump has made it very clear he wants to see peace in the region. Australia wants to see peace in the region," he said. "We make our sovereign decisions as a nation state in Australia's national interest and we are aligning ourselves with like-minded countries." While recognising Palestine would not immediately change anything for the two million people in Gaza the UN projects are facing severe food insecurity, Dr Genauer said the move was important because it showed countries were looking for any possible way to shift the situation. More than 140 out of the 193 United Nations member states already recognise Palestine, but the addition of Australia - a strong middle power - alongside the UK and France, which have veto power in the UN Security Council, will add significant pressure. "The United States is now quite isolated in their position blocking that recognition," she said.
