This is the first time in decades that any Australian government has taken such a critical policy step, recognizing a Palestinian state. This offer was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. It puts Australia in line with Europe and North America, where countries like France, the United Kingdom and Canada have taken similar actions. EPA’s announcement comes at a pivotal time. Tensions in the region have been escalated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent military offensive in Gaza.
Senator Wong calling Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister, Varsen Aghabekian, late Sunday night. She wanted him to know that he was to be honored. Aghabekian hailed the ruling, saying it provides a “glimmer of hope” to the Palestinian people suffering to this day under the occupation.
Context of the Decision
The Australian government’s recognition of a Palestinian state comes as Israel expands its military campaign against Gaza, prompting widespread international criticism. Netanyahu has blown past the global condemnation. He has recently announced designs to seize firm control of Gaza City, likely uprooting hundreds of thousands more Palestinians.
Albanese finally called for the Palestinian Authority to build its governance. He emphasized the need for demilitarization, financial transparency, and new elections. The last presidential election in Palestine was in 2005 and the last parliamentary election was in 2006.
Aghabekian voiced his anger against Israeli policies that complicate the electoral process. He stated, “Elections are a must, and as Palestinians, we want democratic processes… we have been denied that democratic process because we are living under abnormal conditions.”
Reactions from the Palestinian Community
As one might expect, the announcement has generated a wide range of views among Palestinians. For Saida Shahout, Professor emerita at Silwan University, it was “amazing” and for her, a hope for the Palestinian people. In contrast, Azmi Samah voiced concerns that such symbolic gestures would not alleviate the immediate threats faced by the population under Israeli occupation.
Amjad Tamimi, a Palestinian man from the West Bank now living in Australia, welcomed the federal government’s announcement. But at the same time, he recognized this was not a simple situation. The continued growth of these Israeli settlements, or colonies, as they’re sometimes called, in the occupied West Bank is another contentious issue, considered illegal under international law.
A Cairo resident originally from Palestine, Husseina Shahout called for achieving peace through dialogue and not violence. “Why is it always a violent action? Why can’t we just come to an agreement?” she asked. Her optimism resembles a hope shared by many that peace will soon dot the land and end this years-long conflict.
The International Landscape
Australia’s recognition is important, because unlike many other countries, it comes with real and immediate consequences to the Palestinian Authority. It further has the power to influence other countries in their positions towards Palestine. As the world’s only other country to recognize Palestine, Aghabekian said Australia’s move would inspire more recognitions and help protect the two-state solution framework.
Not all responses have been positive. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Australia’s move, saying that these kinds of declarations reward art to terror and assail democracy. He called the move a “grave and dangerous mistake,” claiming it won’t advance Palestinian interests or end decades of violence.
Advocate Aghabekian testified that this recognition should not further reward the political majority. Second, it draws attention to the humanitarian crisis that Palestinians have been subjected to for decades. “It’s not a reward for Hamas; it is a reward for the plight of the Palestinian people who have been suffering immensely for seven decades,” he stated.
