Australia to recognize Palestinian state, New Zealand considers similar move

Australia will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said in a joint statement on Monday, with New Zealand considering a similar move.

Citing the need to "contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages", Albanese and Wong said "the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region".

"Australia's decision helps build the historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East," according to their statement, adding that the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state".

"Australia is further compelled by the Netanyahu Government's disregard of the international community's calls, and its failure to comply with its legal and ethical obligations in Gaza. Israel is required to protect civilians and ensure the provision of food and medical supplies. Permanent forced displacement of civilians is illegal," according to the statement.

"Palestinian children deserve a future that looks nothing like their reality today.

"There is much more work to do in building the Palestinian state. We will work with partners on a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the security of Israel," read the statement.

"Australia will continue to be a constructive partner in support of a two-state solution, as the only pathway to secure a prosperous future that respects the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike."

At a press conference in Canberra on Monday, Albanese said he had

discussed the move with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

He added that he had also discussed the matter with Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

On Aug 4, the Australian government announced more humanitarian aid to support organizations with the scale and capacity to quickly deliver food, medical supplies for field hospitals and other lifesaving support to women and children in Gaza, following the announcement of new humanitarian corridors.

Australians have recently held mass protests calling for an end to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

About 90,000 demonstrators marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Aug 3 to highlight the devastating humanitarian impacts of the conflict, according to local media reports.

Responding to the protests, Albanese said "the important takeout was that it was peaceful… Australians want people to stop killing each other, they want peace and security".

New Zealand is considering a similar recognition of the State of Palestine, the country's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Monday.

The government "will carefully weigh up its position over the next month on recognition of a state of Palestine", he said.

"The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly at the forefront of the global agenda," Peters added.

"New Zealand, as a long-standing supporter of the two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination, is an active participant in discussions about how to broker a ceasefire and a political settlement to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully side-by-side.

"While we are a long way away from the Middle East, we will continue to ensure our voice is heard," he said.

"New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if."

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