Hamas praises Albanese's decision to recognise Palestine as a state
He insisted the move would be 'totally opposed' by Hamas, who the Palestinian Authority had assured him would play no role in any future state. But Sheikh Hassan Yousef (pictured), a co-founder of Hamas and one of the terror group's most senior figures in the West Bank, has welcomed the Labor government's move and called on other Western nations to follow suit. 'We welcome Australia's decision to recognise the state of Palestine, and consider it an important step towards achieving justice for our people and securing their legitimate rights,' Yousef told the Sydney Morning Herald.
'This position reflects political courage and a commitment to the values of justice and the right of peoples to self-determination. We call on all countries, especially those that believe in freedom and human dignity, to follow Australia's example and translate their positions into practical steps to support the Palestinian people and end their suffering under occupation.' Yousef, who is considered one of the spiritual leaders of Hamas, even said Albanese's decision had vindicated the October 7 attacks.
This stands in stark contrast to Albanese's claim that Hamas would be 'unhappy' about the Australia's decision to recognise Palestine as a state. 'I've seen some of the comments that have been made about Hamas somehow being rewarded. Hamas is opposed to two states. This is the opposite of what Hamas wants,' the Prime Minister told Today.
Albanese said on Monday that his government's backing of Palestinian statehood was contingent on the promise that Hamas would play no future role in the Palestinian state, free elections would be held and that he the region will demilitarise. But Yousef insisted that Hamas would not consider any elections legitimate unless Hamas were on the ballot paper. 'We believe that elections must be inclusive of all Palestinian factions, and excluding Hamas means sidelining a large segment of Palestinians,' he told the SMH. 'Only through free and fair elections in which everyone participates can the true legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority be achieved.'
A government spokesperson said: 'What Australia has done is contribute international momentum towards a two-state solution, which Hamas opposes. We are supporting the Arab League's efforts to isolate Hamas. Hamas always tries to manipulate facts for their own propaganda. Media have a responsibility to make professional judgements to not promote propaganda of terrorist organisations to get cynical headlines.'
Labor's long-awaited announcement triggered a flurry of furious criticism from Israel, Jewish groups in Australia and the Opposition, all of whom accused them of playing into Hamas's hands by effectively 'rewarding terrorism'. Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon unleashed on the decision, claiming 'peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it'.
'By recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel's security, derails hostage negotiations and hands a victory to those who oppose coexistence,' Mr Maimon said. He added: 'Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends the dangerous message that violence brings political gains. By recognising a Palestinian state now, Australia elevates the position of Hamas, a group it acknowledges as a terrorist organisation, while weakening the cause of those working to end violence and achieve genuine, lasting peace.'
Meanwhile, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Daniel Aghion KC effectively predicted Yousef's response when he said: 'Hamas and other Islamist groups will see that barbarity on a grand scale can lead to desired political transformation.' The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas terrorists stormed the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 more hostage.
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