Australia signs joint statement hinting Palestinian statehood recognition

Australia has joined 15 other nations including France and Canada calling for a two-state solution in Palestine.

Australia is among more than a dozen Western countries hinting they could recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday joined counterparts from 14 countries, including France and New Zealand, in issuing a joint statement calling Palestinian statehood “an essential step” toward a two-state solution – the internationally adopted answer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Noting the 80th UNGA meeting coming up in September, the foreign ministers said they “have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine as an essential step towards the two-state solution and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been urged not to recognise a Palestinian state. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

They also urged countries that had not established “normal relations with Israel” to do so and “to express their willingness to enter into discussions on the regional integration of the State of Israel”.

The statement comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA meeting unless Israel takes “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza”.

The Coalition has urged Anthony Albanese not to follow his UK counterpart.

The move comes after the Israeli government accused British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of rewarding Hamas after announcing the UK government will recognise Palestinian statehood.

Sir Keir said the decision had been made on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) by the UK cabinet because of the dire situation in Gaza including, “a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand – images that will stay with us for a lifetime.”

He said the UK government will proceed with recognising a Palestinian state at the United Nations general assembly in September, “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza”.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is ready declare Palestinian statehood due to the dire situation in Gaza. Picture: AFP

Sir Keir said after meeting with US President Donald Trump earlier this week at Trump Turnberry at South Ayrshire in Scotland that both leaders agreed emergency action must be taken to stop the war in Gaza.

But Israel’s Foreign Ministry was quick to hit back at the British government’s announcement on Tuesday and attacked Sir Keir for rewarding Hamas, a proscribed terror organisation.

“Israel rejects the statement by the prime minister of the United Kingdom”, Israel’s foreign ministry posted on X.

“The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages,” the post said.

Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and… pic.twitter.com/CG2tueCYRe

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) July 29, 2025

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier in the week expressed his dismay at claims by Israel that images of starving children in Gaza were false.

“While there is a caveat on any information provided by Hamas, it is Israel that has prevented any journalists getting in,” Mr Albanese told Labor MPs.

The UK government will proceed with recognising a Palestinian state unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza. Picture: AFP

The Hamas-run health ministry has claimed more than 60,000 people have died during the conflict in Gaza.

Sir Keir said at least 500 trucks must enter Gaza daily and “the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement”.

“So we are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire,” he said.

Leader of the opposition in the UK, Conservative Party’s Kemi Badenoch, criticised the British government’s move and posted on X: “Recognising a Palestinian state won’t bring the hostages home, won’t end the war and won’t get aid into Gaza. This is political posturing at its very worst”.

Women and children hold up signs as they attend a silent march against war and hunger in Gaza. Picture: AFP

The move by the British government comes after French President Emmanuel Macron last week announced France will be the first G7 nation to recognise Palestinian statehood and will do so in September.

Sir Keir also said the British government’s decision and demands on the Israeli government will “deliver security and proper governance in Gaza and pave the way for negotiations on a two state solution”

“Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” he said.

“But right now – that goal is under pressure like never before”.

Mr Trump has previously quashed the relevance of Mr Macron’s decision to declare Palestinian statehood and said Mr Macron’s decision “doesn’t matter”.