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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under increasing pressure from his backbench to build upon “moral momentum” by recognising a Palestinian state.
Recently, the Albanese government has been more resolute, expressing its intention to acknowledge Palestinian statehood but has set out several preconditions, including the demilitarisation of Hamas, before making a commitment.
Former cabinet minister Ed Husic has called on the government to “reconsider its approach” in light of the developing hunger crisis.
“While it is understandable that we have sought to see the satisfaction of key conditions before this happens, moral momentum cannot be ignored,” he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

“That momentum is critical at this moment and necessitates a reevaluation of our approach.”

While Husic said he was not speaking on behalf of his colleagues, he said there was a “deep feeling” across the backbench and within caucus to recognise a Palestinian state.
Facing questions about the timeline, Albanese reiterated his government would announce the move when it would make maximum impact and “advance the objective of the creation of two states”.
“I’ve said for a long time, my entire political life, I said I support two states, the right of Israel to exist within secure borders and the right of Palestinians to have their legitimate aspirations for their own state realised,” he said on Wednesday morning.

“That is my objective. Not making a statement, not winning a political point, but achieving that.”

Frontbencher Anika Wells stressed that the government would recognise a Palestinian state, and it was a question of “when, not if”, as long as other conditions are met.
“It is a question of when not if. There is things to work through. We need Hamas to release the hostages and we need to secure aid as quickly as possible. Everybody is working on that,” Wells told ABC News Breakfast.
Labor MP Julian Hill also said: “[It’s] a question of when, not if, to recognise the state of Palestine”.
“The government will determine its position based on our conception of Australia’s national interest, working with like-minded countries around the world, and the PM is in dialogue.”
Liberal Senator James Paterson labelled the move “premature” and “counterproductive” to achieving a two-state solution, arguing Hamas needed to be dismantled first.

“If the Australian government were to take a similar step, I would not support it, as it would mark a significant departure from decades of bipartisan foreign policy in this nation,” he informed ABC’s RN on Wednesday.

Greens label government’s new statement ‘meaningless’

The government has signed a new joint statement of 15 foreign minister, expressing their “unwavering commitment” to a two-state solution.

“We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, express our willingness or positive consideration for our countries to recognise the State of Palestine as an essential step towards a two-State solution, and we invite all countries that have not done so to join this call,” reads a statement signed by countries including France, Canada, and New Zealand.

A man in a grey suit and glasses

Greens senator David Shoebridge argued that the government should adhere to Labor’s policy platform and recognise a Palestinian state. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Greens foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge labelled the statement a “distraction” from meaningful progress on the dire situation in Gaza.

“This is a near-meaningless statement that doesn’t seem to take Australia’s position one step closer to recognising Palestine,” he told SBS News.
“Every pressure needs to be applied on Israel to end the bombing, end the killing, end the mass starvation of the people of Gaza and statements like this, they will simply get us no further and no closer to that ultimate goal of a free Palestine.”
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