Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, joining the leaders of France, Britain, and Canada in signaling they would do so.
His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his Cabinet and from many in Australia to recognize a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering in Gaza, which Albanese referred to as a "humanitarian catastrophe." Australia's government has also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza.
Albanese told reporters after a Cabinet meeting that Australia's decision to recognize a Palestinian state will be formalized at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The acknowledgment was "predicated on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority," Albanese said. Those commitments included no role for Hamas in a Palestinian government, demilitarization of Gaza, and the holding of elections, he said.
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