Penny Wong says there are 'challenges' to overcome before Palestinian recognition can happen

Australia Broadcast Center

13 hours ago

Hamas and hostages are two of the key barriers to Australia recognising a Palestinian state, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The Albanese government is now publicly weighing up the best time to take a long-discussed step in recognising a Palestinian state, which it says could help further a peace process.
French President Emmanuel Macron's move to announce France's intention to recognise Palestine in September, and his hope that other countries would follow suit, has sparked renewed conversations about the issue in a number of like-minded countries.
Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday that Australia would not follow the French lead and take similar steps imminently.
Last year Penny Wong made a public shift in thinking on recognition, arguing it could come as "part of a peace process", not only at the "end of a peace process".
But speaking with the ABC, Ms Wong said there were still hurdles that needed to be overcome.
"[The prime minister] made the point — there are challenges associated with this," she said.
"We have to see Hamas demilitarised. We have to see the hostages released.
"We need to see progress in terms of the Palestinian Authority and its moves to a more democratic and accountable governance, and it's pleasing to see some of that happening."
She said the ultimate purpose of recognition had not changed.
"Ultimately what we want to see is two states," she said.
"Because that is the only way in which we will see peace, stability and security for both Israelis and Palestinians."
Yesterday the prime minister said it was his view that Israel was "quite clearly" breaching international law in Gaza, particularly through blocking aid deliveries.
But the foreign minister stopped short of indicating Australia was willing to take further steps to ensure those laws were adhered to.
In recent days, Israel has commenced some aid drops into Gaza, said it would open "humanitarian corridors" to allow UN aid to enter the strip, and scheduled pauses in fighting in some heavily populated areas.
The moves were seen by some as due to growing international pressure over starvation across the territory.
Last week, the foreign minister signed a joint letter, alongside 27 other countries, criticising the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians and condemning the "drip feeding of aid".
Asked what more Australia might do, Ms Wong pointed to the steps already being taken.
"We are not the central player in the Middle East, but we can continue to do what we have done, which is to work with others to collectively assert to Israel the importance of international law," she said.
Asked if the government was coordinating with other like-minded countries on recognition, so as to move as one, Ms Wong said there was regular dialogue.
"Obviously there's been a lot of engagement between the UK and US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand," she said.
"These countries have worked together very closely, if you look at the statements that our leaders and foreign ministers have made over the months of this conflict, and we will continue to do that."
Labor's rank and file, and some high-profile former MP's, are building pressure on the party to move faster on recognition.
Labor's official party platform, which is non-binding on the parliamentary party, calls for recognition to be "an important priority".
Former foreign minister Bob Carr said Australia should not be waiting for others to move before taking its own steps.
"Australia's a middle power and our influence is indirect. We build our influence on this issue by working with like-minded [countries]," he said.
"We shouldn't be giving the impression that we're waiting till Downing St decides to move before we will.
"The opinion of Indonesia is more important to us than the opinion of the United Kingdom."
The party is also facing pressure from its base, with Labor branches passing coordinated motions for stronger action on the conflict.
Peter Moss from the group Labor Friends of Palestine said 81 Labor branches across the country had in recent weeks passed a motion calling for sanctions against Israel, including branches he believed represented "middle Australia".
"Seven branches on the New South Wales Central Coast, another handful in Toowoomba," he said.
"People we've never heard of contacting us from all over Australia saying, 'Can we get your motion? We want to pass this.'
"And they do."
But some in the Australian Jewish community are backing a cautious approach from the government.
Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said "symbolic" recognition would not be worthwhile.
"Those who are truly concerned about human rights, about Palestinian statehood and sovereignty should be calling for the establishment of democratic institutions," he said.
"For the hard work of actually building the state from the ground rather than symbolic declarations which achieve nothing."