Amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel, Australia is going to make the bold diplomatic move of formally recognizing Palestine.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese just announced that he plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. In doing so, Australia would join France, which has signaled recognition of Palestinian statehood in the upcoming weeks. According to Albanese, only by doing so progress can be made towards a two-state solution and lasting peace.
While Canada and Britain have made no moves towards recognizing Palestine, they also share similar sentiments. The main reason pushing all these nations towards such a bold stance and talking about a two-state solution is the deepening humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, where thousands have died from Israeli invasion and hundreds from starvation, which is only worsening by the day. However, even amongst his call for Palestinian recognition, he tied the conditions to conditions that the Palestinian Authority must exclude Hamas from governance, demilitarize Gaza, and hold democratic elections.
While many supported this decision, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has condemned it, calling the move “shameful.” His remarks come while he plans to fully invade Gaza, a decision that has garnered widespread criticism from both inside and outside Israel, albeit for different reasons. But Netanyahu is still defending his decision and Israel’s military strategy, promising a post-conflict Gaza free of Hamas but demilitarized, even though Global outrage mounts as European countries and UN officials warn of an impending disaster.
