Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says Palestine shouldn’t be recognised without a proper peace process in place. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Coalition has clearly stated its opposition to Anthony Albanese’s plan for Australia to recognise Palestine, saying the Prime Minister is out of his depth on the issue.
Mr Albanese has vowed to have Australia recognise Palestinian statehood when the United Nations General Assembly meets next month, bringing it in line with the UK, France and Canada, who will be doing the same.
The PM says the recognition is conditional on the terrorist group Hamas having no role to play in the governance of Palestine, which he says was agreed to by the Palestinian Authority.
But Opposition Leader Sussan Ley insists that recognition of Palestine without a proper peace plan in place for the Middle East is folly.
Her shadow cabinet resolved on Tuesday (12 August) to oppose the government’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state outside of such a process.
“The Coalition wants Israeli hostages to be released, Gazans to be fed and for the war to end,” Ms Ley said.
“The Albanese Government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process will not deliver that outcome.
“The decision does not make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages, nor put an end to the terrorist group Hamas.”
The shadow cabinet also resolved that a future Coalition government would revoke recognition of Palestine.
“The Coalition would have never made this call and we do not agree with it,” Ms Ley said in a joint statement with shadow foreign minister Michaelia Cash.
“A Coalition government would only recognise a Palestinian state at the conclusion of a proper peace process.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australian recognition is predicated on there being no role for Hamas; the demilitarisation of Palestine; an acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist; free and fair elections in Palestine; and, reform of governance, financial transparency and the education system, including international oversight to guard against the incitement of violence and hatred.
“Unfortunately, the Albanese Government has made it clear that they will still recognise a Palestinian state, regardless of whether or not their own conditions are met.
“The reality is the conditions the Prime Minister himself claims to be necessary for recognition are not being met and are pushed further away by recognising a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process.”
Ms Ley added that Labor had broken with longstanding bipartisan foreign policy with its Palestine decision.
“The Prime Minister has also failed to explain what happens to Australia’s recognition if Hamas stays in power or another terrorist group takes their place after the UN General Assembly Meeting in September,” she said.
“Recognising a Palestinian state while there are hostages in tunnels and terrorists in control of the Gaza Strip is not the right decision.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was obvious the Coalition did not want to be a part of the global momentum to recognise a Palestinian state.
“It is disappointing but not especially surprising to see that they’re [Coalition] not prepared to play that constructive role,” he said.
“The two-state solution is the best way to break this endless cycle of violence that we’re seeing in that part of the world, and recognition is an important step in that direction.”
The Prime Minister said he did not decide to recognise Palestinian statehood lightly.
A number of factors lined up before he could agree to the move, including the commitments from the Palestinians and the actions of other nations.
Israel’s actions in Gaza were also a strong motivation.
“The commitments from the Palestinian Authority have been important,” Mr Albanese said.
“The declarations by other countries mean that there is momentum towards a two-state solution and towards the international community making that position clear.
“The other thing that is occurring is, of course, the decision by the Israeli government to double down on its military solution without a political solution being advanced or forwarded by the Netanyahu government, with the decision that they’ve made to go in and to occupy Gaza City.”
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni acknowledged the Prime Minister’s gesture, but added that the Australian Government hadn’t been listening to what protestors had been calling for.
“What we need to realise is that 147 countries already recognise Palestine,” he said.
“That hasn’t stopped Israel from starving women to the point where they’re not lactating and children are dying on their mother’s breasts.
“We need to address the genocide that’s happening today and recognition is not going to do that.”
