The Federal Coalition has announced it plans to walk back Australia’s recognition of the state of Palestine if it wins the next election, due by 2028.
The Coalition objected to the timing of Australia’s recognition, saying it can’t occur while Hamas controls Gaza and still has hostages.
Meanwhile, the Government has joined dozens of other countries in calling for extra aid to be delivered into Gaza.
UN authorities say more than 100 children have died from malnutrition in Gaza, adding that starvation is at its worst levels since October 2023.
Recognition
When a country formally recognises another state, it acknowledges that state’s independence and accepts it as a legitimate member of the international community.
This recognition typically leads to establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
147 of the United Nations’ 193 members recognise Palestine as a state. However, the U.S. and some of its allies support a “two-state solution,” meaning they only plan to recognise Palestine after it reaches a negotiated agreement with Israel.
Australia
Both Labor and the Coalition have long supported the two-state solution.
Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Government would recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.
It followed similar announcements made by France, the UK, and Canada.
Currently, Australia considers the West Bank and Gaza as the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) governs parts of the West Bank, while Gaza is run by Hamas, which Australia classifies as a terrorist organisation.
The Government said its recognition came after the PA made commitments such as promising to hold free elections, and demilitarisation.
A coalition of 22 countries in the region called the Arab League has called on Hamas to give up power and weapons, and release hostages still held in Gaza, in order to progress towards the two-state solution.
Israel criticised Australia’s move, claiming it “rewards” Hamas.
Coalition
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The Coalition has vowed to reverse the Government’s recognition of Palestine.
In a joint statement, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said: “Recognising a Palestinian state while there are hostages in tunnels and terrorists in control of the Gaza strip is not the right decision.”
Of the 50 hostages captive in Gaza, 20 are believed to be alive.
“A Coalition Government would only recognise a Palestinian State at the conclusion of a proper peace process.”
Shadow Finance Minister James Paterson added that the Coalition was concerned about PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ ability to lead a future Palestinian state.
Speaking to the ABC, Paterson called Abbas “an 89-year-old president… who is 20 years into his first four-year term and has made lots of commitments like this in the past and failed to deliver on them.”
The Coalition says it will reverse the recognition if wins the next federal election, which is not due until 2028.
Govt response
In response, Albanese doubled down on his commitment to recognise Palestine.
“The international community have made it very clear that Hamas will have no role in a future Palestinian state,” he told reporters.
“We need to advance the long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Too many innocent lives have been lost.”
Israel has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza since 7 October 2023.
Starvation
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has joined 25 of her counterparts to call on Israel to allow more aid to enter Gaza.
At least 227 people, including 103 children, have died from malnutrition since October 2023, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels,” the joint statement read.
“Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation.”
