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Australia to recognize Palestinian statehood, PM Albanese says
Australia to recognize Palestinian statehood, PM Albanese says
Five other western nations made similar announcements last month
Five other western nations made similar announcements last month
Australian Prime Minister Anthony (right), and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, at a news conference in Canberra on Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of AP Photo]
Australian Prime Minister Anthony (right), and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, at a news conference in Canberra on Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of AP Photo]
Australia will recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East,” Albanese said at a news conference in Canberra.
He added that it could “bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza.”
The Associated Press reported that cabinet members had urged Albanese to follow similar recognition decisions by other Western nations.
Last month, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal and Malta announced they would recognize Palestinian statehood, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
“The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears,” Albanese said. “The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.”
Albanese said the recognition came after Australia received “commitments” from the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank and is internationally recognized as the representative body of the Palestinian people.
He did not specify the commitments. Canada and the United Kingdom linked their announcements to the Palestinian Authority’s promise to ensure a democratic process in its territory.
The announcement comes as Gaza faces imminent famine, according to a United Nations–backed group, with continuing reports of starvation.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported Tuesday that at least 227 Palestinians have starved to death, including 103 children.
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023, nearly half of them women and children, the ministry said.
Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon condemned the announcement on X.
“By recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel’s security,” Maimon wrote.
He added that the move “derailed hostage negotiations and hand a victory to those who oppose coexistence.
Australia will recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East,” Albanese said at a news conference in Canberra.
He added that it could “bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza.”
The Associated Press reported that cabinet members had urged Albanese to follow similar recognition decisions by other Western nations.
Last month, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal and Malta announced they would recognize Palestinian statehood, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
“The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears,” Albanese said. “The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.”
Albanese said the recognition came after Australia received “commitments” from the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank and is internationally recognized as the representative body of the Palestinian people.
He did not specify the commitments. Canada and the United Kingdom linked their announcements to the Palestinian Authority’s promise to ensure a democratic process in its territory.
The announcement comes as Gaza faces imminent famine, according to a United Nations–backed group, with continuing reports of starvation.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported Tuesday that at least 227 Palestinians have starved to death, including 103 children.
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023, nearly half of them women and children, the ministry said.
Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon condemned the announcement on X.
“By recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel’s security,” Maimon wrote.
He added that the move “derailed hostage negotiations and hand a victory to those who oppose coexistence.
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