Anthony Albanese announces Australia WILL support a Palestinian state in historic decision - after Netanyahu slammed potential move as 'shameful'
The Prime Minister made the long-awaited announcement at a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon.
'Today I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine,' Albanese told reporters.
'Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own predictated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority.
'We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.'
Albanese said he had made the move as part of a 'coordinated global effort' after speaking to Uk Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
He said he had also discussed the issue with Israel's Priem Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Crucially, however, Albanese has still not spoken to US President Donald Trump. The US holds the power to veto any resolution to recognise Palestine as a state on the UN Security Council.
'A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,' Albanese added.
He said that he had received assurances from the Palestinian Authority that terrorist group Hamas will play no role in any future Palestinian state.
'This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority,' Albanese said.
He also called for the return of the hostages.
During a rare press conference for the international media overnight, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was an 'absurdity' to recognise Palestinian statehood.
'It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders, and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,' he said.
In his comments, Netanyahu singled out Australia in particular - even though the country has not formally expressed a position on recognition as France, the UK and Canada have done.
He also claimed a Palestinian statehood would bring war rather than peace.
'To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole, just like that is disappointing, and I think it's actually shameful,' he said.
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