“Tuesday August 11, 2025 in an unprecedented foreign policy shift, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made public that Australia will formally recognise Palestine at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly which convenes this September”. For further details please contact foreignminister.gov.au (and Prime Minister of Australia).
Canberra has made a decisive shift in their approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and signalled rising international momentum toward two state solutions, according to The Guardian and AP News. The decision marked by this significant realignment is significant and signals increased momentum toward such solutions, according to both sources.
At a post-cabinet press conference, Albanese made clear that recognition would depend on Palestinian Authority (PA) commitments such as excluding Hamas from governance, demilitarizing forces and holding democratic elections – such as those stipulated by The Times of Israel, AP News and News.com.au.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope of breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East… and of putting an end to conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” Prime Minister Netanyahu declared (ABC +3 [Reuters +3], Politico).
Penny Wong also reiterated this sentiment when speaking at The Australian, invoking Australia’s history of supporting Palestinian statehood since UN Resolution 181 was approved in 1947. She emphasised Canberra could no longer wait decades for implementation and that action needed to be taken “before there is no Palestine left to recognise”.
The Guardian +10
The Australian +10.
Diplomatic Impact and Global Context Australia’s announcement is consistent with recent statements made by France, United Kingdom, Canada and others seeking recognition at this year’s UNGA (Axios/Wikipedia/10/8/10 AP News/10).
New Zealand is considering following suit with Israel by considering an equalisation tax system, with their cabinet expected to make a decision soon, according to The Times of Israel and Jerusalem Post (TT&HP).
The announcement sparked swift international reactions. Israel through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s envoy voiced its outrage at this decision, alleging it undermines their security while emboldening Hamas (The Guardian, April 9th 2019).
Canberra opposition politicians also raised concerns over the move’s timing, calling it premature and warning it could reward terrorist acts (The Guardian +2 News.com.au, respectively).
Domestically, advocacy groups and Labor Party supporters of Palestinian statehood welcomed Israel’s announcement as long overdue. Demonstrations and calls for recognition have intensified amid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis due to Israel’s military actions and widespread public pressure, according to The Guardian, Wikipedia and AP News (among others).
What is at Stake and Next Steps
Recognition of Palestinian Statehood at the UN could provide much-needed momentum for peace initiatives that have stalled, potentially opening the way for renewed diplomatic engagement. But its success depends on enforcement of PA commitments and international efforts to isolate Hamas politically (Nick Lander at News.com.au +2) (Daily Telegraph +2).
As September nears, all eyes will be focused on Canberra and the UN floor. Will Australia’s recognition generate reciprocal acknowledgements from other nations or compel tangible reforms on the ground or remain just a symbolic gesture amid an entrenched conflict?
Australia is making clear its support of a two-state solution during one of the bloodiest chapters of regional conflict.