Australia defies US, Israeli pressure on Palestine
Kat Wong, Tess Ikonomou and Zac de Silva |
Palestinian officials have praised Australia’s formal recognition of the battle-scarred nation, despite pushback from Israel and others including some in Donald Trump’s party.
The federal government joined the UK and Canada to officially acknowledge Palestinian statehood in the hope of breathing new life into efforts toward a two-state solution.
“We recognise the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine of a state of their own,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in New York.
He said the diplomatic move would reaffirm Australia’s support for “two states, the state of Israel and the state of Palestine, living side by side behind internationally recognised borders and peace and security.”
More than 140 countries now recognise Palestinian statehood.
Portugal has announced it would join that group and a number of other nations including France are expected to follow this week.
The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs, based in the West Bank, described the decision as “bold and principled” and said it would reaffirm the rights of the Palestinian people.
It said it was ready for “strong, substantive and enduring relations” with countries around the world.
As a first step, the federal government will update official documents to include references to Palestine.
Previously Australia has only referred to the “occupied Palestinian territories”.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government would only consider setting up a diplomatic outpost after “progress on reforms committed to by the Palestinian Authority”.
Australia has placed conditions on its recognition of Palestine.
“What we expect is reform in areas of education, governance, disarmament, democratic elections and, of course, to ensure the exclusion of Hamas. There can be no role for Hamas,” Senator Wong told reporters.
The government is calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages who have been held by Hamas since October 7, 2023.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by Australia, the UK and Canada to recognise Palestine, posting on X that the three countries’ leaders were giving a “reward to terrorism”.
“And I have another message for you: It’s not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River,” he said.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry expressed its “dismay” at the move, pointing to Australia’s past practice of recognising new states after their governments had demonstrated the ability to control their territory and deliver on international commitments.
“There is no Palestinian entity that comes close to meeting these criteria,” president Daniel Aghion said.
The Jewish Council of Australia said the government must ensure recognition was not “merely symbolic”.
Mr Albanese earlier was under pressure from allies of US President Donald Trump not to recognise Palestine.
A group of Republican Congress members penned an open letter to Mr Albanese and his French, Canadian and UK counterparts, warning proceeding with recognition would “put your country at odds with longstanding US policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response”.
The recognition comes as Australian officials try to confirm a long-sought meeting with Mr Trump during Mr Albanese’s time in the US.
Australia is seeking assurances from the US president on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and major tariffs introduced by Mr Trump.
Palestinian recognition could be a point of contention if the two come face-to-face.
The federal opposition has condemned the move and claimed recognition would strengthen Hamas’s credibility.
“Today, the Albanese government extends a hollow gesture of false hope to the Palestinian people,” Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said.
AAP
