Australia set to recognize Palestinian state with conditions that could ‘isolate Hamas once and for all’

Australia will recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly next month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday. The decision comes with specific conditions that the Palestinian Authority must meet, including the complete removal of military forces from Gaza and holding democratic elections.

Albanese said Australia received commitments from the Palestinian Authority before making this decision. These promises include making sure Gaza has no military weapons and organizing elections where Hamas cannot participate in any Palestinian government, ensuring democratic processes remain free from extremist influence. Australia considers Hamas a terrorist group and continues to demand the release of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack.

According to Fox News, the Prime Minister described this move as an opportunity to deliver self-determination for Palestinian people while working to “isolate Hamas, disarm it and drive it out of the region once and for all.” He said Australia will work with other countries around the world to make Palestinian statehood a reality through international cooperation.

Other Western nations join Australia in a recognition move

Australia’s announcement follows similar decisions from France, Britain, and Canada. These Western allies have also decided to recognize Palestinian statehood with conditions attached. The coordinated approach suggests a broader international strategy to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized Australia and other European countries for these recognition plans, joining other political figures who have made their views on international conflicts publicly known. He called the move disappointing and shameful, saying these nations are marching into a “rabbit hole.” Netanyahu made these comments on Sunday, showing clear opposition to the international recognition efforts.

Albanese defended Australia’s position by pointing to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He said the situation “has gone beyond the world’s worst fears” and accused the Israeli government of continuing to “defy international law and deny sufficient aid, food and water to desperate people, including children.” The Australian government has also criticized Netanyahu’s recent plans for a new large-scale military operation in Gaza.

The Australian leader spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week, who agreed to the conditions set by Western leaders preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood. Albanese believes a two-state solution represents “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.”

Currently, nearly 150 of the 193 United Nations member countries have already recognized the State of Palestine, with many doing so decades ago. However, the United States and several Western allies have waited, believing Palestinian statehood should be the final step in ending the conflict that started in 1948. Israeli leaders argue that recognizing a Palestinian state would reward terrorism and would not help strengthen the Palestinian Authority, which lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007 after violent fighting. The UN General Assembly sessions will begin on September 9 and run until September 25, when Australia plans to make its formal recognition.