Anthony Albanese, Keir Starmer hold more talks on Palestine state

Anthony Albanese has held a second call in days with UK PM Keir Starmer about “international momentum” on the Gaza conflict.

Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of “international momentum” on the Israel-Gaza war in a phone call overnight.

It’s the second conversation between the two leaders in days and comes after Australia joined more than a dozen Western countries hinting they could recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Canada has also positioned itself alongside France and the UK to recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA in September.

In a read out of the talks, Mr Albanese reiterated Australia’s support for a two state solution.

“Prime Minister Albanese updated Prime Minister Starmer on Australia’s aid contribution and commitment to continue increasing aid to Gazan's,” it read.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada in June. Picture: AFP

“He reiterated Australia’s long standing and strong support for a two state solution.

“Prime Minister Starmer laid out the UK’s framework for taking forward recognition of Palestine as a driver for peace and the latest on the UK’s involvement in delivering aid.

“The leaders agreed on the importance of using the international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the acceleration of aid, as well as ensuring Hamas did not play a role in a future state.

“The leaders also discussed AUKUS and welcomed the progress being made by all partners on the program.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was a “matter of when, not if” Australia recognises Palestinian statehood.

He wouldn’t say whether this would occur before the UNGA meeting.

“It’s been a longstanding bipartisan policy that we see a two-state solution in that part of the Middle East,” he told ABC TV.

“From my point of view, that progress that has been made, that momentum that we are seeing in the international community is welcome but it’s also conditional.

“There are a number of obstacles still in the way to recognition of a Palestinian state. For example, the treatment, the release, of the hostages, making sure that there’s absolutely no role for Hamas.”

Opposition frontbencher James Paterson called Labor’s stance on Palestine “incoherent and inconsistent” and warned against the “premature recognition of a Palestinian state”.

“It’s not a matter for me to commentate on Canadian foreign policy – that’s a matter for the Canadian government,” he told Sky News.

“But I’m very happy to give you my view on Australian foreign policy, and that is that I do not support the premature recognition of a Palestinian state before the conclusion of a peace process that establishes two states of Israel and Palestine.

“And the reason for that is that if you were to recognise a Palestinian state today, as the Albanese government is leaning towards doing, you would be recognising a state which is in part governed by a terrorist organisation … which continues to hold 50 Israelis hostage.

“Which has sworn the destruction of the State of Israel and the people in it, which has caused death and devastation for people of Gaza.”

ISRAEL SAYS CANADA MOVE ‘DISTORTED’

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution.

“Canada intends to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” Mr Carney said.

Mr Macron’s announcement drew condemnation from Israel, which said the move “rewards terror,” while US President Donald Trump dismissed the decision as pointless.

Mr Carney said his decision was informed by Canada’s “long-standing” belief in a two-state solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“That possibility of a two-state solution is being eroded before our eyes,” the prime minister told reporters in Ottawa.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves after speaking during a press conference after a Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Picture: AFP

He referenced Israel’s “ongoing failure” to prevent humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza amid its war against Hamas, as well the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

“For decades, it was hoped that (a two-state solution) would be achieved as part of a peace process built around a negotiated settlement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority,” he said.

“Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable.”

Israel quickly condemned Canada’s plan as part of a “distorted campaign of international pressure.”

“Recognising a Palestinian state in the absence of accountable government, functioning institutions, or benevolent leadership, rewards and legitimises the monstrous barbarity of Hamas on October 7, 2023,” the Israeli embassy in Ottawa said in a statement.

AUSTRALIA AMONG 15 COUNTRIES URGING RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE

Australia joined 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 Canada, 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.

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

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”.

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”.

UK ‘REWARDING HAMAS’, SAYS 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 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.”

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

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”.

Sir Keir said after meeting with President 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

Prime Minister 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

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”.

– with NewsWire and AFP

Originally published as Anthony Albanese, Keir Starmer hold more talks on Palestine state