Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday.
The decision follows similar moves by the UK, France, and Canada, and comes after Australia secured commitments from the Palestinian Authority to demilitarise, hold general elections, and maintain recognition of Israel’s right to exist.
“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.
Israel, facing mounting global pressure to end the war in Gaza, criticised the move, warning that recognising a Palestinian state “rewards terrorism.”
