Australia joins UK, France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state — as it happened

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1 week ago11 Aug 1:15pm

Australia will recognise a Palestinian state, PM says

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will recognise a state of Palestine when the United Nation's General Assembly meets in September.

"Australia will recognise the right of the of the Palestinian people to a state of their own predictated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority," he said.

"We will work with the international community to make this right a reality."

'Lifeline to the people of Gaza': Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 4:50pm

That's all for today

Thanks for joining our coverage of Australia's announcement that it will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September.

We're closing the blog now, but you can follow updates as they come through on our main story below:

'Lifeline to the people of Gaza': Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September

— Alex Gallagher

1 week ago11 Aug 2:56pm

'Weakening' peace efforts, Israel's ambassador to Australia says

Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said the decision to recognise a state of Palestine "undermines Israel's security".

"Peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it. By recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap, and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel's security, derails hostage negotiations, and hands a victory to those who oppose coexistence," he said.

He said the decision "elevates the position of Hamas", and would lead to "weakening the cause of those working to end violence and achieve genuine, lasting peace".

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 2:44pm

Statehood a 'reward for Hamas', Taylor says

Opposition defence spokesperson Angus Taylor has said the government cannot guarantee recognising a state of Palestine next month would lead to hostages being set free.

"I don't think the government has made the case that those preconditions have been met or are going to be met," he said.

"There's no satisfaction that hostages will be released. We've got no clarity that Hamas will be excluded from a future government.

"This is a reward to Hamas for what they started on 7 October … If you start going down this path, I think Hamas will be very pleased with their work, and that’s exactly the opposite of what we want to see."

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 2:44pm

Former Labor senator says she feels 'vindicated' by recognition of Palestinian state

Independent senator Fatima Payman said she feels "vindicated" by the government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

She resigned from Labor last July after she was indefinitely suspended from the party caucus for vowing to continue crossing the floor of parliament in support of Palestinian statehood.

The prime minister had previously banned Fatima Payman from a single-party room meeting after she broke ranks last year. Source: SBS

"Having to cross the floor to vote for such an important issue and then having to endure the resulting fallout from Labor and some in the community was one of the most stressful moments of my life, but it is terrific to know that Labor has finally caught up and that my move has been vindicated," Payman said.

"I'm sanguine about it now because it has all turned out very well, and I am relishing my position and my platform as WA's only independent senator instead.

"I am now in the wonderful position of being the only WA senator able to put voters first and not have to toe a party line.

"It's been liberating and empowering, and I am certainly not looking back."

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 2:13pm

Labor Friends of Palestine endorse recognition as 'first step'

Labor Friends of Palestine, a group of Labor members who campaign for Palestinian sovereignty, has released a statement in support of today's announcement.

"Immediate recognition is a huge shift and a very significant step from the Australian Government. It delivers on policy long supported by Labor members who will strongly welcome this move," said Peter Moss from Labor Friends of Palestine.

"We congratulate the government on today’s announcement, but we also call for Australia to move urgently to build on this with further strong action under international law, including sanctions and an arms embargo."

The statement goes on to say: "recognition is only the first step".

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 2:01pm

Which countries recognise Palestinian statehood?

Canada, France and the United Kingdom also intend to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September amid growing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza.

Around three-quarters of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise a Palestinian state.

You can see the complete list here:

France, Canada, UK, and who else? Where countries stand on recognising a Palestinian state

1 week ago11 Aug 2:00pm

What does recognising a Palestinian state mean in practice?

The recognition of a Palestinian state offers prospects of "a future recovery", experts say, but what does recognising a Palestinian state mean in practice?

Ben Saul, United Nations special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, said recognition could lead to expanded legal and diplomatic rights, for instance, state immunity for Palestinian officials under Australian domestic laws.

However, Shahram Akbarzadeh, director of the Middle East Studies Forum at Deakin University, said the practical consequences could be limited until the UN Security Council allows the state of Palestine to become a full member.

What happens if Australia recognises a Palestinian state?

These full member benefits include having its armed forces under the protection of a state, conducting diplomacy, establishing relations with other countries, such as through trade ties, and mounting legal claims against Israel in all international bodies under state sovereignty.

"But legal sovereignty is managed and basically curtailed by the political power and military power of the United States and Israel, so that the reality of power overrides the legality of the future Palestinian state," Akbarzadeh said.

— Ewa Staszewska, Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 1:55pm

Jewish organisations say recognition is a 'betrayal' and 'abandonment' of hostages

Daniel Aghion KC, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), said in a statement Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood "has departed from decades of bipartisan consensus which has envisaged Palestinian statehood and recognition as part of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab States".

He welcomed the government's acknowledgement of "the need for all the hostages to be released and for Hamas to be disarmed and removed from power" but said there was a major flaw in the announcement.

"It relegates all of these conditions to the status of a mere promise to be fulfilled at some future time, and says nothing about what will happen if those conditions are not met," he said.

"We feel that the course of action announced by the government is a betrayal and abandonment of the Israeli hostages who continue to languish in appalling conditions in Gaza without even access to the Red Cross. This announcement gives them no hope for release.

"It leaves Hamas armed and in control of territory, and in a position to regroup and rearm, thereby creating the conditions for the next war rather than a comprehensive peace."

He said the move would make Israel feel "wronged and abandoned by a longstanding ally" and added that the Jewish community was "not surprised" by the announcement.

Ahead of the announcement, Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia issued this statement: "Following reports the Australian Government is set to recognise a Palestinian state today, we are deeply concerned that the timing and substance of this policy reversal will embolden Hamas, further jeopardise the lives of Israeli hostages, prolong the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and place more strain on the longstanding alliance between Australia and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East."

— Alexandra Koster

1 week ago11 Aug 1:48pm

Palestinian advocacy group criticises 'recognition without action'

The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) said earlier today that the recognition of statehood was being used as a distraction.

"This recognition is being used as a political fig leaf to deflect from the urgent legal obligations Australia must uphold under the Genocide Convention, to shield Israel from legal accountability for its genocide and apartheid, and to normalise relations with the apartheid, genocidal state," APAN said in a statement.

"Palestinian rights are not a gift to be granted by western states. They are not dependent on negotiation with, or the behaviour or approval of their colonial oppressors. Nor are they crumbs to be thrown to Palestinians by western states in lieu of taking the real action they are legally bound to take under the Genocide Convention."

APAN President Nasser Mashni said: "Recognition without decisive action is an insult to Palestinians, and nothing but a veneer that allows Israel to continue brutalising Palestinians with no consequences."

He called for more concrete actions instead.

"Australia must stop enabling apartheid and genocide by cutting all military ties, imposing sanctions akin to those we’ve placed on Russia, and standing up for Palestinian self-determination in their historic homeland."

The International Court of Justice, in an interim ruling in early 2024 in a case lodged by South Africa, found it "plausible" that the Israeli offensive had violated the UN Genocide Convention.

The Israeli government, backed by the United States, fiercely denies the charge and says it is fighting to defeat Hamas and to bring back Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

In June 2024, the ICJ found that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements is illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible. Israeli leaders argue the territories are not occupied in legal terms because they are on disputed lands.

— Alexandra Koster

1 week ago11 Aug 1:34pm

US told ahead of statehood announcement

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told reporters the United States was informed ahead of this afternoon's announcement.

"I spoke to secretary [of state Marco] Rubio ahead of the announcement, and as a matter of diplomatic courtesy, advised him of our intention to announce," she said.

When asked about the role of the US, Wong said: "We support President Trump's work to obtain a ceasefire for hostage release and for humanitarian relief.

"Australia has an opportunity now, as I've said, to contribute to the momentum towards two states, which is the way in which the cycle of violence can be broken."

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 1:28pm

'No role for the terrorists of Hamas'

Both Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have stood firm in their condemnation of Hamas.

"There can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state," Albanese said.

"This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that isolates Hamas, disarms it, and drives it out of the region once and for all."

Wong also called for the release of hostages. "The world watched in horror the attacks by Hamas on October 7 ... Hostages are still cruelly held and we want them all released and reunited with their families and loved ones," she said.

"We have always said that Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas."

Responding to a question about whether the recognition of statehood would be "rewarding" Hamas, Albanese said it was an "opportunity to isolate" the group.

"Hamas don't support two states," Albanese said. "Hamas support one state, in their words, 'From the river to the sea'. Hamas do not support recognising the right of Israel to exist."

"This is an opportunity to isolate Hamas."

— Alexandra Koster

1 week ago11 Aug 1:23pm

'Beyond the world's worst fears', Albanese says

Anthony Albanese has criticised Israel, saying "the Netanyahu government is rapidly expanding illegal settlements," in the region.

"Violence in the West Bank has increased. There have been threats to annexe the occupied Palestinian territories and proposing the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people," he said.

"These actions, together with the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, risk putting a two-state solution out of reach for a generation.

"I have said it publicly and I said it directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu — the situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears. Far too many innocent lives have been lost."

— Cameron Carr

1 week ago11 Aug 1:22pm

PM announces recognition of Palestinian statehood, reaffirms two-state solution support

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will formally recognise Palestine as a state.

"Today I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine," he said.

He also reaffirmed Australia's support for a two-state solution.

"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 international community's vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states — living side-by-side with internationally recognised borders. A state of Israel and a state of Palestine, with security for the people of both nations. This is the plan.

"Australia was the first member of the United Nations to vote for back in 1947 when we proudly supported the creation of the modern state of Israel as a state for the Jewish people, alongside a state for the Palestinian people.

"That is why when we recognise the long-held and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine, we are also upholding and strengthening our commitment to the people of Israel and their right to live in freedom, security and safety. Because until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary."

— Alexandra Koster

1 week ago11 Aug 1:15pm

New Zealand considering recognising Palestinian state

New Zealand has announced it is considering recognition of Palestinian statehood.

New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said: "The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly at the forefront of the global agenda."

"New Zealand, as a long-standing supporter of the two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination, is an active participant in discussions about how to broker a ceasefire and a political settlement to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully side-by-side. While we are a long way away from the Middle East, we will continue to ensure our voice is heard.

"New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if.

"New Zealand has long asked whether the pre-requisites for a viable and legitimate Palestinian state — in security, political, diplomatic and economic terms — exist. Fundamentally, we will need to weigh up whether sufficient progress is being made against these benchmarks in order to warrant New Zealand recognising a Palestinian state at this juncture.

"New Zealand has been giving this issue careful, methodical and deliberate attention. We will be taking heed of the facts on the ground deteriorating rapidly, our close partners being divided on the issue of recognition, and a range of Arab states making clear Hamas must disarm and must have no future role in Palestinian governance.

"Cabinet will take a formal decision in September over whether New Zealand should recognise a state of Palestine at this juncture — and if so, when and how."

The full statement can be read here.

- Alexandra Koster

Australia joins UK, France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state — as it happened