Australia said on Monday that it plans to recognize a Palestinian state, as it joins an increasing list of Western governments that transmit this step because Israel becomes increasingly isolated due to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Anthony Albaniz said his government would learn about a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month.
He said in a press conference: “The two -state solution is the best hope for humanity in breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East and ending conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza.” After the cabinet meeting in Canberra.
The Australian declaration is followed by similar in recent weeks by Britain, France and Canada. Although it is largely symbolic, it indicates a wider global shift against Israel’s policies in Gaza, where the United Nations and others say that people die because of malnutrition and hunger after months of limited or non -existing aid.
Albaniz said that Australia’s position was based on the obligations it received from the Palestinian Authority, including that there will be no role in Hamas in any Palestinian state in the future.
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, with a terrorist attack on Israel, where militants led by Hamas killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others. Albaniz said that Australia stands with Israel in calling for the issuance of 50 hostages in Gaza, about 20 of whom Israel believes that they are still alive.
“For their loved ones and all those who share their pain, we repeat this invitation today,” he said.