Australia has the “opportune moment” to recognise a Palestinian state as the nation’s leaders say formal acknowledgement is now only a matter of time.
Canada has followed the UK and France in announcing plans to support statehood at a UN General Assembly meeting in September.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said recognition would be contingent on the demilitarisation and exclusion of Hamas, which is deemed a terrorist organisation by Australia and controls the Gaza Strip.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government viewed Palestinian statehood as an important step toward a two-state solution and the “best pathway out of this enduring cycle of violence”.
“From an Australian point of view, recognition of the state of Palestine is a matter of when, not if,” he told Sky News on Thursday.
“This progress, this momentum that we’re seeing, is welcome but it’s also conditional … we need to make sure that there’s no role for Hamas in any future leadership.”
Despite indications Australia would follow the three G7 nations with Palestinian recognition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to set a timeline.
Deakin University global Islamic politics professor Greg Barton said a “completely urgent moment” had come for the war to end in Gaza, with the population at a tipping point in the effects of starvation.
“It’s more a question of when is the opportune moment … what that means is a coming together of Western democracies in co-ordination with Arab states to announce a proposed peace process package, rebuilding of Gaza and beyond,” he told AAP.
“That’s what we’re waiting for … if this proves to be true, I think that would be one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve had in decades.”
While consideration should be given to Hamas trying to spin statehood as a reward for its actions, which have included its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that should not be a reason to avoid taking necessary steps, Prof Barton added.
The prime minister held talks overnight with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer on the situation in Gaza.
Mr Albanese reiterated Australia’s “long-standing and strong support for a two-state solution” and gave an update on the nation’s aid contributions.
The pair also spoke about the UK’s framework for recognising Palestine as a state.
“The leaders agreed on the importance of using the international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the acceleration of aid, as well as ensuring Hamas did not play a role in a future state,” according to a readout.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said unless minimum pre-conditions were met, the future for both Palestinians and Israelis will be much the same as the past.
“It would be scandalous if Australia and other nations were to recognise a Palestinian state which, from day one, was internationally responsible for the holding of living and dead hostages and was impotent in the face of armed terrorist groups controlling large parts of its territory,” he said.
Opposition frontbencher James Paterson said he did not support the “premature” recognition of a Palestinian state before the conclusion of a peace process that also included Israel.
“I don’t think we should decide Australia’s foreign policy according to some artificial measure of momentum,” he said.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Australia must formally recognise Palestine.
“It’s time to be recognising the state of Palestine …in line with comparable countries across the world,” she said.
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