Israel’s ambassador to Australia accused Canberra of rewarding terrorism after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.
Australia is the latest major country to announce the move to recognize the State of Palestine—following the U.K., France and Canada—amid escalating concern about the dire situation in Gaza as Israel wages war against the Hamas militant group.
Why It Matters
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Israel has been waging a war with Hamas in Gaza since the group carried out bloody attacks on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023. In the almost two years since, Israel has unleashed a devastating counterattack in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people, many of whom were children.
The Australian announcement marks a significant shift in its foreign policy and increases pressure on Israel amid the conflict in Gaza and widespread criticism of a plan announced last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand the offensive in the coastal enclave.
While leaders of Australia, France, the U.K. and Canada have signaled they will recognize a Palestinian state, U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the United States “is not in that camp.”
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What To Know
Amir Maimon, the Israeli ambassador to Australia, denounced Australia’s decision.
“Peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it,” Maimon said in a statement.
“By recognizing 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 continued.
“Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends a dangerous message that violence brings political gains,” Maimon said.
Earlier, Albanese said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state—which is set to be formalized at the United Nations General Assembly in September—was “predicated on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” including no role for Hamas in a Palestinian government, the demilitarization of Gaza and the holding of elections.
“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.
“The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears,” Albanese said, adding, “The Israeli government continues to defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.”
Israel denies blocking food and other supplies from reaching Gaza’s 2 million people.
Albanese repeated his government’s calls for Hamas to return Israeli hostages held since October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu, speaking on Sunday ahead of the Australian announcement, criticized Australia and European countries that have moved to recognize a Palestinian state.
“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 has also criticized the Israeli plan, agreed by its Cabinet last week, for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza aimed at disarming Hamas, returning all hostages and establishing “Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip.”
In neighboring New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his government would “carefully weigh up its position” on recognizing a Palestinian state before making a formal decision in September.
What People Are Saying
Amir Maimon, the Israeli ambassador to Australia, said in his statement: “Let us be clear: this decision will not change the reality on the ground. Peace is not achieved through declarations; it is achieved when those who have chosen terror abandon it and when violence and incitement end. Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends a dangerous message that violence brings political gains.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in dismissing suggestions that recognition of a Palestinian state was purely symbolic, said: “This is a practical contribution toward building momentum.”
What Happens Next
Australia’s announcement focuses more attention on a September deadline. The U.K. and France are also set to recognize a Palestinian state next month if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and allow for the resumption of humanitarian aid via the U.N.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.
