Australia to recognise the state of Palestine in 'lifeline for Gaza'

Australian Community Media

Australia will recognise the state of Palestine in a historic move that will redefine the nation's foreign policy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Australia will join France, the UK and Canada in recognising Palestine at a UN meeting in September, 2025.

Transcript

00:00Today I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September,

00:07Australia will recognise the state of Palestine.

00:11Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own,

00:17predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority.

00:23We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.

00:28Australia is making this statement today following our Cabinet meeting,

00:34as part of a coordinated global effort building momentum for a two-state solution.

00:40Over the past fortnight I have discussed this with Prime Minister Starmer,

00:45President Macron, Prime Minister Luxon and Prime Minister Isheba,

00:50as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu last Thursday and President Abbas last Tuesday.

00:57A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East

01:04and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza.

01:11The international community's vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East

01:17always encompassed two states living side by side with internationally recognised borders,

01:25a state of Israel and a state of Palestine, with security for the people of both nations.

01:32This is the plan Australia was the first member of the United Nations to vote for back in 1947,

01:40when we proudly supported the creation of the modern State of Israel as a state for the Jewish people,

01:48alongside a state for the Palestinian people.

01:52And that is why when we recognise the long-held and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine,

01:59we are also upholding and strengthening our commitment to the people of Israel

02:05and their right to live in freedom, security and safety.

02:11Because until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary.

02:18Ever since the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October 2023,

02:24Australia has stood with the people of Israel and our partners and allies around the world

02:30in calling for the release of the hostages.

02:33For the sake of their loved ones and all who share in their pain,

02:37we repeat that call today.

02:40Our government has made it clear that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas

02:45in any future Palestinian state.

02:48This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President Abbas

02:53and the Palestinian Authority.

02:55The Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed it recognises Israel's right to exist in peace and security.

03:03It has committed to demilitarise and to hold general elections.

03:09It has pledged to abolish the system of payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs

03:14and promised broader reform of governance, financial transparency and the education system,

03:21including international oversight to guard against the incitement of violence and hatred.

03:28These detailed and significant commitments have been given even greater weight

03:33by the Arab League's unprecedented demand for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza

03:38and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

03:42This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that isolates

03:50Hamas, disarms it and drives it out of the region once and for all.

03:56The international community is moving to establish a Palestinian state

04:00and it is opposing actions which undermine the two-state solution.

04:05The Netanyahu government is rapidly expanding illegal settlements.

04:12Settler violence in the West Bank has increased.

04:16There have been threats to annex the occupied Palestinian territories

04:20and proposing the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people.

04:28These actions, together with the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,

04:34risk putting a two-state solution out of reach for a generation.

04:39I have said it publicly and I have said it directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

04:46The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears.

04:52Far too many innocent lives have been lost.

04:55The Israeli government continues to defy international law

04:59and denies sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.

05:04This vital aid must be allowed to get to the people who need it most.

05:09This is about much more than drawing a line on a map.

05:12This is about delivering a lifeline to the people of Gaza.

05:16I understand that on this issue, history casts a long shadow.

05:25Every generation has known failures and false dawns.

05:30Yet the story of this struggle is also one of opportunities not taken.

05:35That is where the risk of trying is nothing compared to the danger of letting this moment pass us by.

05:42The toll of the status quo is growing by the day and it can be measured in innocent lives.

05:49The world cannot wait for success to be guaranteed.

05:53That only means waiting for a day that will never come.

05:57There is a moment of opportunity here and Australia will work with the international community to seize it.

06:03The people of Gaza committee that were never

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