Australia to recognise Palestine in September, PM Anthony Albanese says

Australia will recognise the Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday, joining the leaders of France, Britain, and Canada in deciding to do so.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Albanese said that Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine will be formalised at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The acknowledgement was “predicated on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” Albanese said.

Those commitments included no role for Hamas in the Palestinian government, demilitarisation of Gaza and the holding of elections, he 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,” Albanese said.

Albanese: Situation in Gaza 'beyond worst fears'

“The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears,” he said. “The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.”

Albanese's announcement comes after weeks of pressure from his cabinet and many Australians to recognise Palestine, as well as mounting criticism from his government's officials over the suffering in Gaza, something he called a "humanitarian catastrophe".

On Sunday, ahead of Albanese’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Australia and other European countries that have moved to recognise a Palestinian state.

He has repeatedly stated such a move would only further empower Hamas.

“To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole ... this canard is disappointing and I think it’s actually shameful,” the Israeli leader said.

Australia’s government has also criticised plans announced in recent days by Netanyahu for a new military offensive on Gaza City.

Albanese reiterated his government's demands that Hamas return hostages held since 7 October 2023, citing Australia's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation.