Israel's fury as Australia vows to recognise Palestine

Australia has made global headlines in the Israel‑Palestine conflict by vowing to officially recognise a state of Palestine. At the UN General Assembly in September, Australia will formally recognise the State of Palestine as a sovereign state. In making the landmark announcement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had told Benjamin Netanyahu directly that the situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears. He confirmed that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine. Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority. The government will work with the international community to make this right a reality, following a Cabinet meeting and as part of a coordinated global effort to build momentum for a two‑state solution. The announcement comes after Netanyahu criticised Australia’s support for a state of Palestine, saying Sydney or Melbourne would do the same.