Opposition ‘divorced from reality’ after Gaza demand, foreign minister says

Senior senators have clashed over Gaza as the Albanese government inches closer to recognising a Palestinian state.

Senators Michaelia Cash and Penny Wong have clashed in the Upper House over Gaza. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed the Coalition as “divorced from reality” after her opposition counterpart Michaelia Cash demanded she rule out recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas controls Gaza.

Ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September, Senator Wong on Wednesday (AEST) joined counterparts from 14 countries in declaring Palestinian statehood “an essential step” toward a two-state solution.

Anthony Albanese later stopped short of committing to recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA but said that recognition was inevitable.

During Senate question time, Senator Cash demanded Labor “categorically rule out ever recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas is in control of Gaza”, warning that doing so would jeopardise Israel’s security.

But Senator Wong said the only way to ensure peace was “to deal with the issue of a Palestinian state”.

Senators Michaelia Cash and Penny Wong have clashed in the Upper House over Gaza. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire

“Countries have made clear that they want the security architecture in the Middle East to assure the security of Israel,” she replied, adding that it “is where the international community is at”.

“If we want long-term peace and security in the Middle East, for both Israelis and Palestinians alike, then we need to deal with the issue of a Palestinian state.

“That is the best way to ensure stability and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“So, senator, I would suggest to you it might be good to grapple with that reality, because that is where the discussion is.”

The response did not satisfy Senator Cash, who repeated her question sparking a fiery reply the country’s chief diplomat.

“People should understand in this place just how out of touch the Coalition is on this,” Senator Wong shot back.

“They don’t even support a ceasefire, which the whole world, including President Trump supports – that says something about the extent to which your position is divorced from the reality of what is happening on the ground, what is happening for people in the Middle East and what is happening to the women and children of Gaza who are … are not all Hamas.”

Earlier, Senator Cash said she had “serious concerns” about Labor’s push for Palestinian statehood.

“The question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process not at the start or during it,” she said in a statement.

“The Coalition has been consistently clear that there can be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza, and Hamas can have no role in governing a Palestinian state.”

She called on world leaders to apply “maximum pressure” on Hamas “to immediately and unconditionally release all remaining hostages and disarm”.

“The Albanese government should explain to Australians why it is canvassing recognition of a Palestinian state while there are still hostages in tunnels under Gaza.

“Australia should not reward Hamas with a pathway to statehood while they remain in control of Gaza and continue to hold Israeli hostages.”

Hamas took hundreds captive in its deadly October 7 assault on Israel.

The attack sparked the war in Gaza.

PM’s ‘unwavering’ support

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer overnight vowed to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took “substantive steps” to end the “appalling” conflict in Gaza.

It echoed similar comments from French President Emmanuel Macron last week.

During his comments on Wednesday, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his “unwavering” support of a two-state solution but declined to commit to a “timeline” on recognition.

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

“I’ve said for a long time, my entire political life, (that) … I support two states, the right of Israel to exist within secure borders and the right of Palestinians to have their legitimate aspirations for their own state realised,” Mr Albanese told reporters at Parliament House.

“That is my objective. Not making a statement, not winning a political point, but achieving that.

“In an immediate sense we continue to call for a ceasefire, we continue to call for hostages to be released, we continue to say that Hamas can have no role in a future Palestinian state and we continue to call for aid to be allowed to the people of Gaza.”

He also said he would talk with Sir Keir, adding that he had been in contact overnight.

“I expect to be speaking with Sir Keir Starmer in the coming couple of days as well,” Mr Albanese said.

The foreign ministers’ statement 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”.

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”.

Mr Albanese said the statement, which called for the disarmament of Hamas and for the Islamist militant group to release all Israeli hostages, is a “significant step forward”.

Originally published as Opposition ‘divorced from reality’ after Gaza demand, foreign minister says