Australia and New Zealand plan to recognize Palestine: A turning point?

Australia and New Zealand plan to recognize Palestine: A turning point?

Australia plans to recognize Palestine as a state, marking a significant step in international efforts to find a two-state solution. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists this is the best hope for breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East. In a context where almost 150 of the 193 UN member states have already recognized Palestine, including countries such as France and Canada, this announcement has significant global relevance. Albanese sees the recognition of Palestine as something that is "just a matter of time" and part of a broader effort to promote a two-state solution that provides for the peaceful coexistence of Israel and an independent Palestinian state, reports crown.

New Zealand is also considering recognizing Palestine and plans to make a decision in September. Albanese's conversations with government leaders, including Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlight the urgent diplomatic movement in this direction. Macron plans to announce the official recognition of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September, seen as an important step to signal to Israel that the annexation of the West Bank will not be accepted globally and to give Palestinians, especially political moderates, hope for their own state. Canada has already made a similar announcement, further fueling the dynamics in international politics.

Reactions and resistance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the upcoming announcements “shameful” and questioned the extent to which a Palestinian state could bring peace. He emphasizes that the majority of the Jewish public is against such recognition. In the current situation, in which international pressure is growing in addition to diplomatic efforts, the tense situation in the region is obvious. The Gaza war, which has been ongoing since Hamas invaded Israel in October 2023, has so far claimed the lives of over 61,000 people in the Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. However, these numbers are not independently verifiable, reports Small newspaper.

The general assessment among most UN member states remains that the two-state solution is the only option for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. A conference at the United Nations to revive this discussion is imminent and is largely seen as preparation for the UN General Assembly in September. However, experts such as Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group are dampening expectations for this conference, saying it is unlikely that outstanding questions about the two-state solution can be resolved in just three days. It is also reported that the US government tried to prevent a high-level UN conference on the fate of the Palestinians, underscoring the view on international diplomacy on the issue, explained daily news.