Latest news with #HumanitarianCatastrophe
CTV News
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Albanese says
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at a press conference in Canberra, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP) WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday, joining the leaders of France, Britain and Canada in signalling they would do so. His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his Cabinet and from many in Australia to recognize a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering in Gaza, which Albanese on Monday referred to as a 'humanitarian catastrophe.' Australia's government has also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza. Albanese says conditions must be met for Palestine recognition Albanese told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Monday that Australia's decision to recognize a Palestinian state will be formalized 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, demilitarization 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. 'The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears,' he said. 'The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.' Netanyahu rebuked Australia before the announcement Ahead of Albanese's announcement, Netanyahu on Sunday criticized Australia and other European countries that have moved to recognize a Palestinian state. 'To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole ... this canard, is disappointing and I think it's actually shameful,' the Israeli leader said. Australia has designated Hamas a terrorist entity and Albanese repeated Monday his government's calls for the group to return Israeli hostages held since Oct. 7, 2023. The Australian leader last week spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose authority administers parts of the occupied West Bank, supports a two-state solution and cooperates with Israel on security matters. Abbas has agreed to conditions with Western leaders, including Albanese, as they prepared to recognize a Palestinian state. 'This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that isolates Hamas, disarms it and drives it out of the region once and for all,' Albanese said. He added that Hamas did not support a two-state solution. Recognition is growing, but is largely symbolic without the U.S. Nearly 150 of the 193 members of the United Nations have already recognized Palestinian statehood, most of them decades ago. The United States and other Western powers have held off, saying Palestinian statehood should be part of a final agreement resolving the decades-old Middle East conflict. Recognition announcements are largely symbolic and are rejected by Israel, and by the United States — the only country with any real leverage over Netanyahu. Israel's leader said this month that he would not accept Palestinian Authority involvement in a government for Palestine. A two-state solution would see a state of Palestine created alongside Israel in most or all of the occupied West Bank, the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and annexed east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war that the Palestinians want for their state. Albanese dismissed suggestions Monday that the move was solely symbolic. 'This is a practical contribution towards building momentum,' he said. 'This is not Australia acting alone.' Albanese had discussed Australia's decision with the leaders of Britain, France, New Zealand and Japan, he said. He also had a 'long discussion' with Netanyahu this month, he added. In neighboring New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Monday his government 'will carefully weigh up its position' on recognizing a Palestinian state before making a formal decision in September. 'New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if,' Peters said in a statement. Australian Jewish and Palestinian groups criticized the move After Albanese's announcement Monday, Israel's envoy to Australia said the move undermined Israel's security. 'By recognising a Palestinian state now, Australia elevates the position of Hamas, a group it acknowledges as a terrorist organisation,' Amir Maimon posted to X. 'This commitment removes any incentive or diplomatic pressure for the Palestinians to do the things that have always stood in the way of ending the conflict,' spokesperson for the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin said in a statement. Meanwhile, President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network Nasser Mashni decried Albanese's recognition as too late and 'completely meaningless' while the country continues to trade with Israel. He told reporters in Melbourne on Monday that the move would do nothing to end the 'ongoing genocide in Gaza which has been live streamed for the entire world for two years.' Charlotte Graham-mclay, The Associated Press
CBS News
15 minutes ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Australia latest to say it will recognize a Palestinian state
Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday, joining the leaders of France, Britain and Canada in signaling they would do so. His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his Cabinet and from many in Australia to recognize a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering in Gaza, which Albanese on Monday referred to as a "humanitarian catastrophe." Australia's government has also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza. Albanese told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Monday that Australia's decision to recognize a Palestinian state will be formalized 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, demilitarization 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. "The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears," he said. "The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children." "Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary," he said. "Australia will recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own. We will work with the international community to make this right a reality." The Israel-Hamas war, raging in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group's attack on Israel October 7, 2023, has revived global momentum toward a Palestinian state. Ahead of Albanese's announcement, Netanyahu on Sunday criticized Australia and other European countries that have moved in that direction. "To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole ... this canard, is disappointing and I think it's actually shameful," the Israeli leader said. Australia has designated Hamas a terrorist entity and Albanese repeated Monday his government's calls for the group to return Israeli hostages held since Oct. 7, 2023. The Australian leader last week spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose authority administers parts of the occupied West Bank, supports a two-state solution and cooperates with Israel on security matters. Abbas has agreed to conditions with Western leaders, including Albanese, as they prepared to recognize a Palestinian state. "This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way isolates Hamas, disarms it and drives it out of the region once and for all," Albanese said. He added that Hamas did not support a two-state solution. Nearly 150 of the 193 members of the United Nations have already recognized Palestinian statehood, most of them decades ago. The United States and other Western powers have held off, saying Palestinian statehood should be part of a final agreement resolving the decades-old Middle East conflict. Recognition announcements are largely symbolic and are rejected by Israel. A two-state solution would see a state of Palestine created alongside Israel in most or all of the occupied West Bank, the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and annexed east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war that the Palestinians want for their state. Albanese dismissed suggestions Monday that the move was solely symbolic. "This is a practical contribution towards building momentum," he said. "This is not Australia acting alone." Albanese had discussed Australia's decision with the leaders of Britain, France, New Zealand and Japan, he said. He also had a "long discussion" with Netanyahu this month, he added. In neighboring New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Monday his government "will carefully weigh up its position" on recognizing a Palestinian state before making a formal decision in September. "New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if," Peters said in a statement.
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi, UK foreign ministers discuss Gaza crisis
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his UK counterpart David Lammy on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The parties discussed developments in the Gaza Strip, the need to stop Israeli attacks and violations, and how to end the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the residents of the enclave, the SPA added. The phone call came on the same day as a UN Security Council meeting on the Gaza crisis, which had been requested by the UK and other countries. During the meeting, the UK, which was joined by Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, urged Israel to reverse its recent decision to expand military operations in Gaza, warning it would deepen Palestinian suffering, worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger hostages. The UK's representative at the meeting, James Kariuki, said the move would not secure the release of hostages held by Hamas since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, and reiterated calls for their unconditional release. He stressed that Hamas must disarm and play no role in Gaza's governance, which should involve the Palestinian Authority. He also urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid, open all land routes for essential supplies, and allow humanitarian agencies to operate freely. Kariuki also highlighted a further $11.4 million provided by the UK for humanitarian funding for Gaza. He called on both sides to engage in negotiations in good faith toward a ceasefire and a two-state solution, which he added was the only path to lasting peace.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Islamic Relief Canada Calls for Immediate International Action to Prevent Further Catastrophe in Gaza
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Islamic Relief Canada expresses grave concern over the latest developments in Gaza, as Israel's newly approved plan to take full military control of Gaza City marks a dramatic escalation of an already devastating crisis. This move threatens to deepen the humanitarian catastrophe and accelerate the forced displacement and starvation of an already besieged population. With more than 200,000 people killed or injured since the start of the massacre, and the International Court of Justice having already found a plausible case of genocide in Gaza, the international community is at a crossroads. Despite the ICJ's ruling and the clear provisional measures it outlined, violations persist with impunity — and rather than complying, Israel is escalating its actions, challenging the very credibility of the international rules-based order. Our teams are on the ground in Gaza, witnessing the horrific impact of ongoing restrictions, bombardment, and hunger. In northern Gaza, including Gaza City, famine-level starvation is already a daily reality. In the past few days, we were able to distribute hot meals and provide water, first-aid, and psychological support for children in Gaza City, but this is just a drop in the ocean, compared to the extent and urgency of the needs. Between May and July alone, child malnutrition has nearly quadrupled. Our staff report seeing children who are nothing but skin and bones — wasting away as aid is systematically blocked. While Canadian officials have reiterated the importance of humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, we are collectively not doing nearly enough. The international response must go far beyond statements of concern. Air-dropped food supplies, though symbolically important, are wholly insufficient and often dangerous — both for the civilians below and for the delivery of sustained, organized relief. This crisis cannot be solved through the expansion of military operations, which will result in further starvation, mass displacement, and blocked aid corridors — deepening a humanitarian nightmare that is already unprecedented. Islamic Relief Canada urgently calls on the Government of Canada and the international community to: With 88% of Gaza now declared off-limits to its own population, and growing evidence of forced displacement, the threat of ethnic cleansing is no longer theoretical — it is unfolding in real time. The world must not look away. We urge all Canadians to raise their voices, demand accountability, and support life-saving humanitarian work on the ground. SOURCE Islamic Relief Canada
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Why UN's Rohingya conference must deliver
In September, the UN will convene a high-level conference to address what is arguably one of the world's most protracted and neglected humanitarian catastrophes: the Rohingya crisis. Eight years after more than 740,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's brutal military 'clearance operations,' the refugee camps in Bangladesh remain overcrowded, under-resourced and increasingly vulnerable to violence, disease and despair. This conference is not just another diplomatic event — it must be a turning point that leads to real action, justice and a long-term solution. The roots of this conference lie in a sustained diplomatic effort, particularly by Bangladesh's interim government under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus. The failure of earlier efforts, such as the 2018 tripartite agreement between the UN, Myanmar and Bangladesh, highlighted the need for a new approach. The refugees themselves refused to return to a country that denied them citizenship, stripped them of their rights and offered no security guarantees. The UN, recognizing the urgency, passed a resolution in late 2024 calling for a high-level summit to create a 'comprehensive, innovative, concrete and time-bound plan' for voluntary, dignified repatriation. With the support of UN officials, including special envoy Julie Bishop, the September conference is intended to be that long-overdue platform. The current situation is untenable. Camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char now host more than 1.5 million Rohingya. Humanitarian aid has sharply declined, with the World Food Program recently warning of severe malnutrition after food rations were cut due to lack of funding. Security has also deteriorated, with the rise of armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and mounting intercommunal tensions. Education and mental health services are collapsing. A generation of Rohingya children is growing up without formal schooling, legal status or hope for the future. This conference is expected to be different. For the first time, there are strong indications that Rohingya voices will be front and center in the discussions. That is long overdue. Past international efforts have too often spoken about the Rohingya, rather than with them. Inclusion is essential. Any roadmap designed without their participation will fail again. This time, the UN appears committed to ensuring that Rohingya leaders and civil society groups play a meaningful role in shaping outcomes. We can also expect a sharper focus on enforceable commitments rather than vague diplomatic language. There is growing recognition that abstract promises and goodwill gestures are no longer acceptable. The conference is expected to deliver measurable benchmarks for citizenship reform in Myanmar, timelines for monitored repatriation and mechanisms to ensure international oversight and accountability. Justice will be another central theme. The Myanmar military's atrocities against the Rohingya have been well documented and described as genocide by multiple independent bodies. Without a clear pathway to legal accountability — through the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction cases or a special tribunal — there can be no sustainable peace. There will be serious discussion about the future of humanitarian aid. The existing model, focused solely on emergency relief, is no longer viable. The UN and donors must transition toward a development-oriented framework that builds resilience, offers vocational training and integrates mental health services. Long-term funding should be pooled into a dedicated UN trust fund to stabilize the camps and support host communities in Bangladesh, which have borne an extraordinary burden for nearly a decade. For the first time, there are strong indications that Rohingya voices will be front and center in the discussions Dr. Azeem Ibrahim For Bangladesh, this conference is both an opportunity and a strategic challenge. The government should use the platform to secure binding international commitments — both financial and political. But it must also take difficult steps domestically to maximize the conference's impact. It should begin by improving the rule of law in the camps. The rise in violence, gang activity and extortion has made many areas unsafe. The security response must be firm but lawful, with accountability mechanisms to prevent abuses. Community-based policing and legal aid centers should be established. At the same time, Dhaka should allow greater Rohingya participation in camp administration and policymaking, including women and youth leaders. Bangladesh must work closely with the UN to reframe the Rohingya presence not simply as a burden, but as a challenge that can be addressed through smart diplomacy and targeted investment. Informal economic integration, such as allowing Rohingya to engage in controlled, supervised livelihoods, could ease dependency on aid and reduce tensions with host communities. The government should also push for the expansion of third-country resettlement programs, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, orphans and the elderly. The US, Canada, the EU and Australia must step up their responsibilities in this regard. The key, ultimately, lies in aligning repatriation plans with genuine reform in Myanmar. The Arakan Army's growing control of Rakhine State and its recent signals of willingness to engage on the Rohingya issue open a new window. The UN must support confidence-building measures, including peacekeeping deployments and regional monitoring missions. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, India and China must be part of this effort. And pressure should be applied on Myanmar to lift discriminatory laws and restore full citizenship rights to the Rohingya. The upcoming UN conference must deliver more than words. It must be the start of a new era of policy and action, built on justice, accountability and the full inclusion of the Rohingya. If handled correctly, it could serve as a model for how the international community addresses long-term displacement crises. But if it fails, the consequences will be severe. Another generation of Rohingya will be condemned to statelessness, exclusion and despair. The stakes could not be higher. • Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is the director of special initiatives at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, DC. X: @AzeemIbrahim
