Penny Wong’s Palestine call has been criticised as ‘a win for terrorists’ by the Coalition but downplayed by Albanese

Anthony Albanese says there is nothing to see here after his Foreign Minister floated a change to how Australia views a Palestinian state.

Anthony Albanese has downplayed criticism of suggestions Australia could recognise Palestinian statehood, despite pro-Israel groups and the opposition branding the move as rewarding Hamas.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong used an address to a security conference at the Australian National University to lay the groundwork for the policy shift, saying statehood could help “build momentum towards a two-state solution”.

She argued recognition of a Palestinian state would undermine Hamas, which she stressed would have no role in a recognised state, and there was no path to peace and security for Israel without a two state solution.

“We are looking at … a pathway beyond the immediate conflict, that’s what the discussion is amongst the international community. We have to work out how it is we break the endless cycle of violence,” she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there’s been no change to Australia’s stand on Palestinian recognition. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Scott Powick

Protesters greeted the Prime Minister in Bangalow in northern NSW, supporting the Palestine, among other issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

When asked about the remarks, the Prime Minister essentially said there was nothing to see here considering his government, and those before it, had supported a two-state solution.

“What we want is Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace and security with stability and to be able to prosper in the future in a region which is peaceful,” he said.

But it did not stop the swift pushback from the opposition and pro-Israel groups, who were already put off guard by the government’s decision to appoint a special adviser to review the Israel Defense Forces’ killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues.

“Any talk of recognition of Palestinian statehood in such close proximity to the 7 October attacks is entirely premature and will be seen as a reward for those attacks,” Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said.

Penny Wong’s speech signalled a shift in Australia’s stance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Before any talk of statehood is credible, Hamas must be removed and a new generation of Palestinian leadership must emerge, which isn’t corrupt, don’t condone violence and recognises Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State.”

Opposition Foreign spokesman Simon Birmingham said fast-tracked recognition for Palestinian statehood was a “dangerous approach”.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion criticised the speech as “not the way to treat a friend and ally of Australia, such as Israel”.

Senator Wong said it would be wrong to suggest recognition could be viewed as a reward for the cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 last year.

“The point I’m making is that ultimately peace, security for Israel will only be achieved if we have a Palestinian state alongside Israel, the Israeli state,” she said.

The timing of any potential recognition was left vague by both Mr Albanese and Senator Wong, who also remained coy on if Australia would vote in favour for Palestinian statehood if it came to a vote at the United Nations.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry, since the conflict was triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel last year.

The attack left 1200 people dead and more than 250 people taken hostage.

Senator Wong’s speech comes as a new application for Palestinian statehood is being considered by the United Nations Security Council.

The UK suggested it could also recognise Palestinian statehood but Foreign Secretary David Cameron indicated that would not happen while Hamas remained in Gaza.

The government has ramped up its criticism of Israel in recent months as violence has escalated in Gaza and is “deeply concerned” about a proposed ground invasion in Rafah.

“We are, alongside with the president of the United States and so many others in the international community, we are urging Israel do not go down this path,” Senator Wong said.

Australian woman Zomi Frankcom was killed alongside six aid worker colleagues by the Israeli Defense Forces. Picture: Supplied

Former ADF chief Mark Binskin was appointed on Monday to scrutinise Israel’s investigation of the air strikes that killed Ms Frankcom and six of her colleagues.

A letter by Senator Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles sent to their Israeli counterparts about Ms Frankcom’s death has yet to be answered.

“I would say it is in Israel’s interests for the Australian government (and) Australia community to be satisfied that there has been transparency and accountability,” Senator Wong said.

“The idea that we would reward this kind of behaviour by people offering them statehood, I think, is a significant blow to Jewish Australians who should be rightly concerned with this change in stance.”

Originally published as Penny Wong’s Palestine call has been criticised as ‘a win for terrorists’ by the Coalition but downplayed by Albanese