Premier Peter Malinauskas says the state government agrees recognition of Palestinian state is essential for creation of peace

Premier Peter Malinauskas has made comments in support of recognition of a Palestinian state at a heated Islamic community function.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has declared the state government agrees recognition of a Palestinian state is essential to the creation of peace – and the Palestinian people have a right to demand immediate recognition – at a heated Islamic community function.

But Mr Malinauskas came under fire for comments in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, and was criticised for the state government’s refusal to light up landmarks in support of Palestine.
In a speech at the event, hosted on Saturday by the Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA), he told nearly 100 community leaders that the government shared their horror at the conflict raging in Gaza.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has declared the state government agrees recognition of a Palestinian state is essential to the creation of peace. Picture: Islamic Society of South Australia

He said the government and parliament had been vocal in its “united support for a lasting two-state solution in the region”, with mutual recognition of the right of both countries to exist.

“We fully support the announcement by the Foreign Minister (Penny Wong) that Australia sees the recognition of a Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel as essential to the creation of a just and enduring peace,” he said.

“We stand alongside the Palestinian people in their aspiration to live in peace, to live in prosperity, in an independent democratic state.

“And we acknowledge the Palestinian people’s right to demand immediate recognition of statehood, just as we acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas has declared the state government agrees recognition of a Palestinian state is essential to the creation of peace. Picture: Ben Clark

But there was frustration among some attendees when Mr Malinauskas acknowledged Israel has a right to defend itself within the context of international humanitarian law.

He said Israel must act in accordance with decisions made by the United Nations Security Council and International Court of Justice.

“No state or non-state party is above the law. This includes the state of Israel and Hamas,” he said.

The ISSA said such statements, without adequate context, neglect “decades of occupation and human rights abuses the Palestinian people have been subjected to”.

“Despite growing tension and some attendees leaving dissatisfied, the majority chose to stay and listen as the premier addressed their concerns,” the association said. Among other contentious issues raised at the forum was the government’s decision to light up Adelaide landmarks in support of Israel following the October 7 attacks, but its failure to do the same in support of Palestine.

On Monday, Mr Malinauskas said buildings across the country had been lit up in response to an act that was “spontaneous in its nature”.

“Hence the show of solidarity that we saw not just around Australia, but around the world,” he said.

He said he attended the event because he wanted to hear the group’s concerns first-hand.

“I expressed the fact that, in many regards, I sympathise with their frustrations,” he said.

“We’ve seen over 30,000 people lose their lives in Gaza, and it’s a human tragedy that we’re witnessing before our eyes.”