Recognition of Palestinian state a matter of ‘when not if' for Australia
'Australia's position for nearly 80 years, the world's position through the United Nations … was the creation of a Jewish state and an Arab state living side by side,' Mr Hill said.
'This has long been Australia's position; it is now a question of when, not if, we recognise a Palestinian state.
'The world cannot stand by and let the opportunity for a Palestinian state slip away.'
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Anthony Albanese likely won't consult Donald Trump ahead of any decision to recognise Palestinian statehood
Anthony Albanese has indicated he will not consult Donald Trump ahead of deciding whether Australia will stand with western allies to recognise Palestinian statehood. The decision could occur as soon as September when the Prime Minister attends the United Nations General Assembly, with the United Kingdom, France and Canada publicly stating their intention formally recognise Palestine there. Speaking from Melbourne, the Mr Albanese was asked whether he would 'talk to Donald Trump before (making) the decision about Palestinian recognition'. In response, Mr Albanese said: 'We're a sovereign government, and Australia makes decisions on behalf of the Australian government'. It was the same answer he gave when asked whether he feared Australia recognising a Palestinian State, a view not held by the US, would 'complicate an already complicated relationship' with the US President. As it stands, Mr Albanese has yet to confirm whether Australia will join UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in officially recognising Palestinian statehood, following growing international condemnation of Israel for blocking aid and food shipments to Gazan civilians. Mr Albanese's comments rejecting a call with Mr Trump on Palestinian statehood also follows calls with Mr Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Albanese says Australia would only move to recognise Palestine in order to progress the two-state solution, which would require a ceasefire, the surrendering of Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages captured on October 7, 2023. First reported on Sunday, Mr Albanese is also currently seeking a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying it was 'important for us to put our view very clearly at the most senior levels of the government'. This comes as Mr Albanese spoke to Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas overnight on Tuesday, where they discussed Australia's desires for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. 'Prime Minister Albanese also reinforced Australia's commitment to a two-state solution because a just and lasting peace depends upon it,' read a statement from the Prime Minister's office. 'The leaders discussed deepening co-operation across a range of areas, and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.'
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shuts down idea of talking to Trump before making Palestinian statehood call
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been grilled on a looming decision on Palestinian statehood and whether he will speak with US President Donald Trump before making a call. The Prime Minister has come under growing pressure to clarify Australia's stance after other world leaders signalled their intentions to formally recognise Palestinian statehood Mr Albanese was pressed by the media pack at a press conference in Melbourne on Thursday about his looming decision on Palestine. When asked if he would talk to Trump before his government made a call on recognition of a Palestinian state, the Prime Minister responded, "We're a sovereign government'. 'And Australia makes decisions on behalf of the Australian government,' he said. Mr Albanese has been a longtime supporter of a two-state solution, and reiterated his hope to see Israelis and Palestinians living 'side-by-side in peace and security' on Thursday. 'And there are proposals obviously at the moment around and discussions taking place between world leaders. I think the entire international community is distressed by what we're seeing,' the Prime Minister told reporters. Following the Prime Minister's remarks, Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie claimed Mr Albanese was 'paving the way' for Australia to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September. 'I think what the Prime Minister's doing is paving the way for what I think will be a really negative decision by Australia on the floor of the UN,' Ms McKenzie told Sky News on Thursday. 'It sounds like the Prime Minister's paving the way to recognise a Palestinian state prior to Hamas's surrender in the war in Gaza. 'Now we are all distressed, any compassionate human being is distressed by the footage that is coming out and the human suffering that's coming out of Gaza as a result of this war. The reality is, it is always civilians and the vulnerable that are the most negatively impacted in war.' The Prime Minister's latest comments follow a phone call between him and French President Emmanuel Macron discussing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The French President plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September and is set to be joined in the gesture by United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last week that his country intends to recognise the state of Palestine next month.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese likely won't consult Donald Trump ahead of any decision to recognise Palestinian statehood
Anthony Albanese likely won't consult Donald Trump ahead of any decision to recognise Palestinian statehood
