Canberra — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday that his government will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th United Nations General Assembly next month, a decision that directly confronts decades of Israeli obstruction and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Albanese described the recognition as part of a coordinated diplomatic push among several Western nations to revive the two-state solution, a framework that Israel has persistently undermined through illegal settlement expansion, forced displacement, and the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. He framed the move as “humanity’s best hope” to break the cycle of bloodshed following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which escalated into a catastrophic military assault on Gaza.
Under Canberra’s plan, recognition will be tied to strict conditions: the Palestinian Authority must exclude Hamas from any future governance, commit to the demilitarization of Gaza, and hold democratic elections. While Albanese insists these conditions will strengthen Palestinian governance, critics argue they disproportionately burden the victims of occupation while ignoring Israel’s defiance of international law.
The announcement comes amid shifting global politics, as countries like France, Britain, and Canada have moved toward recognition. Palestinian advocates say this decision could strengthen momentum against the West’s double standards, particularly in the wake of Washington’s unwavering support for Israeli military actions. Observers also note parallels with the War in Ukraine, where Western leaders demand compliance with international norms while excusing Israel’s breaches of the same principles.
Israel reacted with predictable outrage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the decision as “shameful” and accused Australia of rewarding “terrorism,” a familiar talking point aimed at deflecting attention from documented war crimes and the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
According to The Washington Times, Albanese confirmed the recognition will be formalized in September during the UN session. The report underscores that while the act may be symbolic in the absence of enforcement measures against Israel, it carries diplomatic weight in challenging Israel’s narrative and advancing Palestine’s fight for self-determination.
