‘Roadblocks in the way of peace': Sussan Ley on Anthony Albanese's US and Israeli relationships
'They are roadblocks in the way of peace in the region and the requirement, the wish we have for a two-state solution is further away from reality than ever,' Ms Ley told Sky News host Andrew Bolt.
'I am very disappointed to see our prime minister make such a mess of this.'
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SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
'Disappointment': US diplomat responds to Australia's Palestinian statehood decision
The United States ambassador to Israel has hit out at Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the US is "disappointed" by the decision. Mike Huckabee, who was appointed to the ambassadorial role by US President Donald Trump in April, said the US was taken aback by the federal government's announcement on Monday. "There is an enormous level of disappointment and some disgust," he told ABC's 7.30 program on Thursday night. Huckabee criticised the timing of the statehood announcement. "What Australia and the other countries may have done inadvertently is to push Israel towards doing exactly what they're afraid of," he said. "The result of this has been to completely halt any type of thoughtful negotiations going forward," Huckabee said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday Australia will formally recognise Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September. Australia's decision comes after other Western allies — the United Kingdom, France and Canada — unveiled plans to recognise statehood at the summit, with certain conditions. The goal is to end the cycle of violence in Gaza that escalated when the designated terrorist group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7 in 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. 'We're convinced this is the right decision' Federal minister Mark Butler sought to downplay the ambassador's comments. "At the end of the day, this is the ambassador to Israel — his job is to manage the relationship between America and Israel," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Friday. "We are convinced this is the right decision at the right time to help build momentum to break this cycle of violence." While Huckabee said the US got "no heads up" about Australia's decision, Foreign Minister Penny Wong did inform US secretary of state Marco Rubio ahead of it being made public. Butler denied the US was not informed. "There is a readout from the state department about that conversation," Butler said. "It wasn't one taken lightly. It was one taken after weeks and weeks of consideration." Liberal senator Jane Hume said Americans on both sides of politics had been shocked by the decision on statehood. "This decision by the Labor government has bewildered the Americans, that [the government] essentially departed from years of a strong alliance between Israel and America and Australia to make this decision unilaterally," she told Seven's Sunrise. "This is going to set back the peace process by weeks, potentially months, maybe even years." Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has killed almost 62,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, according to local health authorities. The UN projects 2.1 million people in Gaza are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, while 470,000 are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Hamas has still not released all of the Israeli hostages. Albanese has said Australia's recognition is tied to a commitment that Hamas play no role in a future Palestinian state. Almost 150 out of the 193 UN member states have already recognised the Palestinian state, including European Union countries Spain and Ireland. The Coalition has pledged to reverse Australia's position if it wins the next election.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Andrew Bolt lashes PM for ‘comforting terrorists' with Palestine recognition
Sky News host Andrew Bolt questions Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's policy on Palestine, likening it to recognition of Taiwan. 'Prime Minister, why are you recognising a Palestinian state but not recognising Taiwan?' Mr Bolt said. 'You know what's really going on. Australia, like so many countries, is terrified of offending the Chinese dictatorship by calling Taiwan a country. It might stop buying our stuff. 'Seriously, Prime Minister, isn't it time to stand for the truth, to stand for democratic allies and stop giving comfort to tyrants and terrorists?'
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'Diplomatic mess': Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to 'pick and choose' what Hamas propaganda to run with
The Prime Minister has demonstrated a "pick and choose" approach to what Hamas propaganda he wants to believe, Sky News host Chris Kenny has said. After Mr Albanese's move to recognise Palestine was from the office of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef for his 'political courage', Mr Albanese then quoted a statement from Hamas on Thursday to suggest Yousef had 'no means of communication', alleging it was impossible for the terrorist leader to give the quote. The Prime Minister said it 'should be a warning to the media' to be careful as 'Hamas will engage in propaganda'. A short time after, the Sydney Morning Herald clarified that it had received the statement from Yousef's office in Beitunia in the West Bank which 'issues statements on his behalf'. Sky News host Chris Kenny admonished the Prime Minister on Thursday and claimed Mr Albanese had gone along with the 'narrative promulgated by Hamas' in the demonisation of Israel and 'wild claims' of the events in Gaza, such as the alleged mass starvation. 'Now Albo has leapt upon another statement from Hamas saying Yousef didn't issue the statement because he's in an Israeli prison. Well yes, the terrorist leader has been in and out of prison but Nine media, who sourced the original statement, say it came from his office in the West Bank,' Kenny said. 'So all this had our Prime Minister today trying to blame the media for his diplomatic mess. 'Albanese knows his own office and those of other politicians constantly issue statements on behalf of their leaders. And how can he now pick and choose which propaganda statements from Hamas he believes and which he doesn't?' Kenny said Mr Albanese had been 'so reckless' in buying Hamas' narrative and that he had inadvertently fed them a 'propaganda victory' 'Just about everything Albanese has said about Gaza from casualty numbers and claims of deliberate starvation, responses to orchestrated and misleading photographs, it's all been parroting the Hamas propaganda that's amplified by the media,' Kenny said. In a separate statement to the ABC on Thursday, the terror group's official media spokesperson praised the Prime Minister's decision. "We welcome Australia's decision to recognise the state of Palestine, and consider it a positive step towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," Hamas media director Ismail Al-Thawabta said. 'Such a move reflects a growing global awareness of the necessity to end the injustice suffered by our people for decades. 'We call on the Australian government to translate this recognition into concrete actions — by exerting diplomatic pressure to end the Israeli occupation." The group added that 'while recognition has come late' the move was 'better late than never.'
