Albanese and Wong expressed in a joint statement, “Australia recognises the legitimate and enduring aspirations of the Palestinian people to establish a state of their own.”

‘There will be no Palestinian state’

Netanyahu responded, “Our response to the latest effort to establish a terrorist state within our territory will be communicated after my return from the United States. Stay tuned.”

He noted ongoing settlement expansions in the West Bank and mentioned Israeli ministers who reject the concept of a Palestinian homeland, alongside the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong are participating in high-level meetings at the United Nations in New York. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

“We go back to the resolution that was carried by the parliament with support from all of the government parties after October 7 that called for the protection of innocent life, that calls for the implementation, of course, and the compliance with international law,” Albanese said.

“Give peace a chance. Stop this insanity. Stop this genocide, allow peace to prevail. Save the lives of Palestinians and Israelis,” he said.

Mansour stated, “Saving hostages and prisoners is essential. Peace is far superior to war. Violence is undesirable, and I believe the Israeli population understands this as well. Two years have passed in efforts to eradicate the Palestinian people, yet success has been elusive.”

‘False hope’ for Palestinians

“An inconvenient reality for the Albanese administration is that this recognition occurs while hostages remain captured in tunnels beneath Gaza, and as the Gaza Strip and its people remain under the control of the recognized terrorist group Hamas.”

“Further steps, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of embassies, will be considered as the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its commitments to reform.”