Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced. The move follows similar decisions by the United Kingdom, France, and Canada.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Albanese said the decision came after Australia received commitments from the Palestinian Authority (PA). These included demilitarisation, holding general elections, and maintaining recognition of Israel’s right to exist.
“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,” he told reporters.
Israel, under mounting international pressure to end its military campaign in Gaza, criticised the announcement, saying such recognition “rewards terrorism”.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, five people have died since Saturday from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza, bringing the total to 217 deaths. The ministry also reports that more than 61,000 people have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in 2023.
Israel launched its military action in response to the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said the recognition reflects growing global support for the self-determination of the Palestinian people.
Mr Albanese said his government’s decision followed assurances from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would have no role in any future Palestinian state. He added that the announcement came after discussions with leaders in the UK, France, New Zealand, and Japan over the past two weeks.
“There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” Mr Albanese said.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge, a day after a court ruling permitted the protest to go ahead.
The United States has said it will not recognise a Palestinian state, arguing that doing so would reward Hamas. US Vice-President JD Vance reiterated over the weekend that Washington had no plans to follow suit, citing the absence of a functioning Palestinian government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the actions of countries planning recognition. “To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole… it is disappointing – and I think it’s actually shameful,” he said on Sunday.
“They know what they would do if, right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney, you had this horrific attack. I think you would do at least what we’re doing.”
Israel has faced renewed criticism in recent days over its stated intention to take control of Gaza City. UN ambassadors have condemned the plan, but Mr Netanyahu insists it is the “best way” to end the conflict.
In 2024, Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognised Palestine, in the hope of encouraging a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Currently, 147 of the United Nations’ 193 member states recognise the State of Palestine. At the UN, it holds the status of a “permanent observer state”, which allows participation in debates but no voting rights.
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