Australia signs joint statement hinting Palestinian statehood recognition
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday joined counterparts from 14 countries, including France and New Zealand, in issuing a joint statement calling Palestinian statehood 'an essential step' toward a two-state solution – the internationally adopted answer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Noting the 80th UNGA meeting coming up in September, the foreign ministers said they 'have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine as an essential step towards the two-state solution and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call'.
They also urged countries that had not established 'normal relations with Israel' to do so and 'to express their willingness to enter into discussions on the regional integration of the State of Israel'.
The statement comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA meeting unless Israel takes 'substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza'.
The Coalition has urged Anthony Albanese not to follow his UK counterpart.
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