Australia to recognize Palestinian state in September

"A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza," the Prime Minister told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Bloomberg notes that recognition gives legitimacy to the cause of creating a Palestinian state and will allow Australia to join France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

The US, for its part, has so far opposed the recognition of a Palestinian state outside of a peace agreement with Israel.

Before Albanese's statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Australia's plans for recognition shameful.

At the same time, Albanese and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon warned that Israel risks violating international law. They called on Jerusalem to review its military campaign against Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip.

"Our government has made it clear that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state. This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority," the Australian Prime Minister said.

Offensive on Gaza

On Friday, Netanyahu's government approved a plan to attack the city of Gaza after talks on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas reached an impasse in July.

Before this, Israeli troops had bypassed the area, fearing that hostages believed to be held there could be injured or lost during the fighting. It is believed that about 20 hostages are still alive.

Macron disrupted negotiations

Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused French President Emmanuel Macron of disrupting the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

He noted that the negotiations with the group broke down on the day Macron announced his decision to recognize the Palestinian state.

In addition, other countries joined in, stating that if there is no ceasefire by September, then they will recognize the Palestinian state.