Australia will officially recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday. “Until there is permanent statehood for both Israelis and Palestinians, peace will remain temporary,” he told reporters.
“Australia stands in support of the Palestinian people’s right to their own state.”
Since Israel’s bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago in response to Hamas attacks, several countries including France, Britain, and Canada have declared their intention to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Albanese added that he had received assurances from the Palestinian Authority that there would be “no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state”.
“There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” he said.