Australia to Recognize Palestine at UN in September

"Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary," Albanese told reporters on Sunday.

He affirmed that "Australia will recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own," adding that recognition would be based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority.

Albanese condemned the worsening situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying it had surpassed the world’s worst fears and that Israel continues to operate in open violation of global legal norms.

Albanese’s center-left government has long advocated a two-state solution, upholding Palestinians’ inalienable right to statehood.

France and Canada announced similar plans last month, while the UK stated it would recognize Palestine unless Israel halts its relentless onslaught on the Palestinian territories and agrees to a ceasefire.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in July that he intends to formally recognize Palestine at September’s UNGA.

Days later, under immense public pressure, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged the same.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney soon followed, citing Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution as the basis for his decision.

Israel has lashed out at these recognitions, attempting to portray them as a “reward” for the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to spearhead the nearly two-year campaign of genocide and land seizure in Gaza, told reporters that most Israelis oppose a Palestinian state, claiming it would bring war, not peace.

His remarks came as thousands of anti-government protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv, denouncing his plans to escalate military aggression.

“To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole just like that … this is disappointing and shameful,” Netanyahu said, vowing that there would never be a Palestinian state while he remains in power.