PM Anthony Albanese questioned about ‘rewarding Hamas' as he announces Australia will support Palestinian statehood
On Monday, Albanese revealed the government will join France, the UK, and Canada in recognising Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September.
More than 140 of 193 UN member states already recognise Palestine, including European Union member states Spain and Ireland.
Barr questioned the prime minster on Sunrise on Tuesday.
'What about the argument that Hamas went in, they murdered those people on October 7 and two years later they have got partly got what they want, they have got their own state?' Barr asked.
Barr was referring to the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas soldiers breached Israeli defences, killing more than 1200 people. They also abducted 251 people, with 50 hostages still kept in captivity.
Albanese replied: '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 the clear statements by the Arab neighbours that was made just a couple of weeks ago in the meeting convened by France and Saudi Arabia was a breakthrough.
'We need Israel to be recognised by all the states surrounding (it).'
Albanese said his position is backed by the 1947 statement by the United Nations, which envisaged two states — a majority Jewish state of Israel providing a homeland for the Jewish people existing side-by-side with a Palestinian state in peace and security.
Albanese explained this was a sign the international community has had enough. He added Australians have also had enough of the conflict, with a peaceful resolution necessary.
'This is a conflict that has gone on now for 77 years,' Albanese said.
'The international community is saying 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 and this is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution.
'One in which the states around Israel recognise its right to exist. One which sees a demilitarised state of Palestine.'
Albanese said he spoke to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Australia's policy shift, saying the world is unhappy with what they are watching playing out.
'Gaza reduced to rubble. Tens of thousands of innocent lives being lost, innocent kids being killed while trying to get basic essentials of food and water. We just can't keep going the same way,' Albanese said.
US President Donald Trump has offered stoic support for Israel. Barr questioned Albanese on Trump, if the US decides not to support Palestinian statehood.
'We want to see the world move forward on this and certainly President Trump has been a strong advocate for peace,' Albanese said.
'President Trump will, of course, make decisions based upon the interests of the United States.'
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