Nat Barr's tough message to Anthony Albanese after Australia's landmark decision to recognise the state of Palestine
In an interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Sunrise host challenged him over the decision, citing the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people, and asked whether recognising Palestine could be seen as rewarding militant violence.
'Two years later, they have got partly what they want - they've got their own state?'
Albanese rejected the suggestion, insisting Hamas would be 'totally opposed' to the decision and could have 'no role whatsoever' in a future Palestinian state.
'Hamas do not want this. Hamas don't want two states. Hamas wants to destroy Israel, which is why Hamas can have no role whatsoever in a future Palestinian state.
'This is about isolating Hamas… and finding a way forward for peace and security for both Palestinians and Israel.'
The Prime Minister said the recognition, which will be formalised at the United Nations in September alongside countries such as the UK, France and Canada, sent a clear message to the international community that 'enough is enough' after 77 years of conflict.
Albanese said the plan was for a demilitarised Palestinian state living 'side by side' with Israel in peace, adding that military action alone was not a long-term solution.
Earlier in the interview, Barr had pressed Albanese on whether the recognition would make any tangible difference to people in Gaza.
'The international community is saying, enough is enough. This is a conflict that has gone on now for 77 years,' he said.
'We need to find a solution that promotes security for the state of Israel but also recognises the political aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state.
'You can't just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome.
'One in which the states around Israel recognise its right to exist, and one which sees a demilitarised state of Palestine - allowing Palestinians to live. To continue to do the same thing is not enough.'
Albanese also revealed he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, warning that military operations without a political pathway could not deliver lasting peace.
'You can't just continue to do what he is saying, which is to continue the military operation without any political solution,' he said.
'There's been too much innocent loss of life.'
The crisis in Gaza began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage.
Israel's response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities, and UN sources project more than two million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
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