Australia will move to recognise a state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month, with a condition that terror group Hamas play no role in its future governance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would work with the international community to make recognition a reality.
“Australia will recognise the state of Palestine. Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” Mr Albanese 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.”
The Palestinian Authority has promised Australia it would recognise Israel’s right to exist, demilitarise and hold general elections, among other commitments.
Mr Albanese said every generation had known “failures and false storms” in the decades of failure to internationally recognise a state of Israel and of Palestine.
But he said the world could not wait for success to be guaranteed.
“The risk of trying is nothing compared to the danger of letting this moment pass us by. The toll of the status quo is growing by the day and it could be measured in innocent lives,” Mr Albanese said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it had been more than 77 years since the world promised a Palestinian state.
“In the nearly two years since [the] October 7 [terror attack by Hamas], we have been working with the international community on breaking the cycle of violence,” she said.
“We can’t keep waiting for the end of a peace process that has ground to a halt.”
The prime minister said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a “long” and “civil” discussion.
“The arguments he put to me were very similar to the arguments he put more than a year ago. It seems to me very clearly … we need a political solution, not a military one,” he said.
“Far too many innocent lives have been lost. The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.
“This vital aid must be allowed to get to the people who need it most. This is about much more than drawing a line on a map.”
Ahead of the decision, Mr Netanyahu told journalists that Australia and other nations were “delusional” for thinking Palestinian recognition would bring peace.
“To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole, just like that. Fall right into it … I think it’s actually shameful, but it’s not going to change our position,” Mr Netanyahu said.
The Opposition has argued now is not the time to recognise Palestine, supporting Israel’s view that it would be a reward to Hamas.
In a statement, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the government’s unilateral decision put it out of step with Australia’s “most important ally” and most consequential player in the Middle East, the United States.
“Until today it has been a bipartisan position that the question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process, not at the start or during it,” Ms Ley said.
“Anthony Albanese has committed Australia to recognising Palestine while hostages remain in tunnels under Gaza and with Hamas still in control of the population of Gaza.
“Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. The clear advice of our most important ally is this decision will not expedite that outcome.” (ABC)