Australia and New Zealand are planning recognition of Palestine: a turning point?

Australia and New Zealand are planning recognition of Palestine: a turning point?

Australia plans to recognize Palestine as a state, which is a significant step in the international efforts to be a two-state solution. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizes that this is the best hope to break through the cycle of violence in the Middle East. In a context in which almost 150 of the 193 UN Member States have already recognized Palestine, including countries such as France and Canada, this announcement of significant global relevance is. Albanese sees the recognition of Palestine as something that is "only a matter of time" and part of a comprehensive effort to promote a two-state solution that provides for a peaceful coexistence of Israel and an independent Palestinian state, reports Krone .

New Zealand also consider a recognition of Palestine and wants to make a decision in September. Albanese's talks with leading heads of government, including Great Britain Prime Minister Keir Strandmer and France President Emmanuel Macron, illustrate the urgent diplomatic movement in this direction. Macron plans to announce the official recognition of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September, which is considered an important step to signal Israel that the annexation of the West Bank is not accepted globally and to give the Palestinians, in particular the politically moderate, hope of their own state. Canada has already made a similar announcement, which further fueled the dynamics in international politics.

reactions and resistance

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the upcoming announcements as "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 the diplomatic efforts, the tense situation in the region is obvious. The Gaza War, which has been on Israel in October 2023 since the attack of Hamas, has so far cost over 61,000 people in Gaza Strip, which further tightens the humanitarian crisis, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. However, these figures are not independent, reports Kleine Zeitung .

The general assessment among most UN member states remains that the two-state solution is the only option for permanent peace between Israel and Palestine. A conference at the United Nations to revive this discussion is imminent and is predominantly regarded as preparation for the UN General Assembly in September. Experts like Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group dampen the expectations of this conference, as it is unlikely that open questions about the two-states solution can be clarified in just three days. It is also reported that the US government has tried to prevent a top-class UN conference on the fate of the Palestinians, which underlines the perspective on international diplomacy on this question, explains Tagesschau .