Albanese said only a two-state solution could stop the violence in the Middle East and ease the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The president said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told him Hamas would not be part of any state to replace Israel. The UK, France, New Zealand and Japan also influenced Australia to make the call.
Response in Israel and the U.S.
Israel has denounced those moves, saying that recognizing a Palestinian state rewards terrorism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it was 'disappointing' and 'shameful,' likening it to how Australia would respond if attacked. The US also said it would not recognise Palestinian statehood, with Vice-President JD Vance pointing to the fact that a functioning government was absent.
Conflict and Humanitarian Impact
It was announced against the background of the usual antiphony we can hear daily regarding Gaza. This includes five extra people since Saturday who have died of starvation and malnutrition, with the toll reaching 217 according to Gaza's health ministry. It has also recorded more than 61,000 deaths since the start of Israel's 2023 military campaign. The operation was launched following the Hamas-led assault on 7 October, 2023 and claimed the lives of about twelve hundred and two hundred-and-fifty-one hostages.
The Palestinian Authority has interpreted an expansion of recognition of statehood as a sign that the international community supports their right to self-determination. A total of 147 out of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as an independent state, and it has non-member observer status.
