Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his government intends to recognise the Palestinian state at the September session of the UN General Assembly.
“Today, I confirm that Australia will formally recognise Palestine at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September,” he said at a press conference on Monday, according to 9News.
According to Albanese, the decision to create two states is the best opportunity to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East, as well as to end the conflict, suffering and hunger in Gaza. He stressed that by recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, Australia also reaffirms its support for Israel and its right to live in freedom, security and peace. The prime minister noted that until Palestinian statehood becomes a sustainable reality, peace in the region will remain fragile.
Earlier, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Albanese plans to announce the recognition of Palestine soon. These intentions coincide with the plans of Canada, France and the United Kingdom, which are also preparing to take a similar step in the coming weeks. To date, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood, representing approximately 75% of the world’s states and the majority of the world’s population.
Earlier, Israel’s military-political cabinet approved a plan to establish control over Gaza City, the largest city in the Palestinian enclave.
China, for its part, expressed serious concern over Israel’s decision on Gaza and called for an immediate reversal of this step. As stated on Friday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Gao Feng, his comment was made in response to the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to establish military control over the city of Gaza.
Feng noted that China is ready to work with the international community to quickly stop the fighting, reduce humanitarian risks, implement the “two states for two peoples” principle, and achieve a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue.
