Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently expressed that Canberra is considering recognizing a Palestinian state, marking a shift in Australian policy as the international community seeks a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a speech given on Tuesday night, Wong emphasized the importance of discussions surrounding Palestinian statehood as a way to build momentum towards a two-state solution, which is seen as the only hope to end the ongoing violence in the region.
The Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, territories that have been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East War. Israel has opposed unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, insisting that any agreement must be reached through direct negotiations. Other Western countries, such as Spain, advocate for recognizing a Palestinian state and have been pushing for such a move within the European Union.
Wong rejected Hamas’s involvement in any future Palestinian state, stating that Hamas does not belong in peace process. The Palestinian Authority has recently requested reconsideration of their 2011 bid for full membership in the United Nations from UN Security Council which faces opposition from US.
Wong emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state does not reward Israel’s enemies but rather serves as an important step towards ensuring long-term security for Israel. She also highlighted that regional recognition of Israel’s existence is crucial to its security and stability in the region.
