Wong Warns: Global Cooperation Essential for Two-State Solution, or Risk Losing Palestine Recognition

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Australia is one step closer to recognising Palestinian statehood and is coordinating with other nations on the issue, as the foreign minister warns there might soon be “no Palestine left”.

While the federal government has indicated that statehood is only a matter of “when, not if”, it has been reluctant to establish a timeline. Previously, the prime minister mentioned that any UN resolution would have to ensure that the designated terror group Hamas would have no involvement in the future nation.

‘Unique opportunity’ to isolate Hamas

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed Australia is working with other countries on recognition to ensure its concerns are met.

“We understand the urgency, we also understand the importance of having impact, we are obviously discussing and coordinating these issues with many countries,” she told Nine’s Today show on Tuesday.

“Everybody understands that there is a risk that there will be no Palestine left to recognise unless the international community work together towards two states.

“We aim to collaborate with others to ensure that Hamas has no part in a future Palestinian state, and we presently have a unique opportunity with the international community to isolate Hamas.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday morning, when he reiterated Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East that would allow Israel and a Palestinian state to co-exist.

He also stressed the need for the immediate delivery of aid to Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Abbas thanked Australia for its economic and humanitarian support for Gaza and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting starting on 9 September.

More than 140 of the 193 UN member states already recognise the Palestinian state, including European Union member states Spain and Ireland.

Australia on Monday also committed another $20 million to humanitarian aid for Gaza, as UN sources found more than two million people in the enclave were facing high levels of food insecurity.

Israel has bombarded Gaza since Hamas’ October 7 attack in 2023, in which more than 1,200 people, including an estimated 30 children, were killed and over 200 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government. More than 60,430 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

The October 7 attack was a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Australian government has taken issue with the Israeli position.

“We believe it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered, which is the decision Israel made in March,” Wong told ABC Radio.

Pro-Palestinian Australians have called on the government to impose sanctions on Israel similar to those placed on Myanmar and Russia.

Wong noted Australia had sanctioned persons for human rights abuses against Palestinians.

The government would not speculate on sanctions “for the obvious reason they have more effect if they are not flagged”.

The Coalition has reiterated its support for a two-state solution, but Liberal MP Julian Leeser said recognition can only come “at the end of a process”.

“It’s wrong that we’re putting recognition on the table at this point because it removes pressure on Hamas, and I think it sends a bad signal to other areas of conflict,” he told ABC Radio.

“It’s very important that we do nothing that encourages Hamas in its activities.”