Australia to recognise Palestinian state – joining France, Canada, UK
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His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his cabinet and from many in Australia to recognise a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering and
starvation in Gaza
Australia's government has also criticised plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader
Benjamin Netanyahu for a fresh military offensive in
Gaza
Protesters wave Palestinian flags at a rally outside Parliament House in Canberra last month calling for sanctions against Israel. Photo: EPA
Albanese told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday that Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state would be formalised at the
United Nations General Assembly in September. The acknowledgement was 'predicated on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,' Albanese said.
Those commitments included no role for Hamas in a Palestinian government, demilitarisation of Gaza and the holding of elections, he said.
'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 said.
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