IntelScoops

Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced, aligning Canberra with recent moves by the United Kingdom, France and Canada.

Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said the decision came after the Palestinian Authority committed to demilitarisation, holding general elections and upholding 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.

The announcement comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to halt its offensive in Gaza, launched after the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage.

Figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry report more than 61,000 deaths since the start of the war. Over the weekend, five more fatalities from starvation and malnutrition were recorded, bringing the total to 217.

Albanese said the recognition followed direct assurances from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would have no role in governing any future Palestinian state. He added that the decision was shaped by talks with leaders in the UK, France, New Zealand and Japan.

“There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,” he said.

The announcement came a day after tens of thousands joined a pro-Palestinian march across Sydney Harbour Bridge, which went ahead after a court ruling overturned police opposition.

The United States has confirmed it will not take the same step, with Vice-President JD Vance stating Washington sees no functional Palestinian government to recognise.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, accusing countries supporting Palestinian statehood of ignoring the events of October. “They know what they would do if, right next to Melbourne or Sydney, you had this horrific attack. I think you would do at least what we’re doing,” he said.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, calling recognition an important step towards self-determination.

Palestine is currently recognised by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and holds permanent observer status, allowing participation in UN debates but no voting rights.