Prime Minister Albanese during a press conference after a meeting of the Council of Ministers indicated that the obligations undertaken by the Palestinian autonomy, which include the lack of participation of Hamas in the Palestinian government, demilitarization of the Gaza Zone and the organization of elections, were crucial when deciding to recognize the Palestinian state. – a two -state solution gives hope to stop a cycle of violence in the Middle East – noted the Prime Minister of Australia.
Criticism from Israel and growing tensions
The decision taken by Australia, however, met with sharp criticism from the Israeli prime minister. Binjamin Netanyahu expressed his disappointment against the decisions of European countries and Australia, describing it as “shameful”. Israel has repeatedly rejected the symbolic announcements of the recognition of the Palestinian state, claiming that this should be part of a comprehensive peace agreement.
As Reuters emphasizes, Nearly 150 of 193 countries of the United Nations have already recognized the Palestinian statehood, Most of them many decades ago. Despite this, the United States and several other Western countries, including Germany, remain skeptical towards this idea, making the Palestinian state dependent on obtaining a lasting agreement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In recent decisions, several countries have made the decision to recognize, including Canada, France and Great Britain.
New Zealand is considering a similar step
Not only Australia analyzes its approach to the issue of Palestinian statehood. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Winston Peters, confirmed that his government would consider the possibility of recognizing Palestine before the September UN General Assembly.
– New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of the Palestinian state is a matter of when, and not or or – Peters added in an official statement.
