Albanese Holds Off on Palestinian State Recognition

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signals Australia will recognize a Palestinian state but emphasizes timing must align with peace prospects.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will eventually recognize a Palestinian state, but he insists the timing must advance a two-state solution, not merely serve as a symbolic gesture. Speaking on ABC’s 7.30 program on July 30, 2025, he stressed that recognition would only occur when it could contribute to a peaceful resolution between Israel and the Palestinians. “The government is looking at circumstances where recognition will advance the objective of two states,” Albanese said, underscoring his long-standing support for Israel’s secure borders and Palestinian statehood aspirations.

Albanese’s cautious approach comes amid growing international momentum, with nations like France moving toward recognition. He noted discussions with allies like the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, emphasizing that any decision would be made as a sovereign state. The Prime Minister highlighted the need to exclude Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by Australia, from any future Palestinian governance. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in a joint statement with 14 countries, supported a “day after” plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, ensuring Hamas’s exclusion and a demilitarized Palestinian state, as confirmed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Labor government faces internal pressure, with figures like former minister Ed Husic pushing for quicker action, citing Labor’s 2021 policy to recognize Palestine. However, Albanese rebuffed immediate moves, stating on ABC’s Insiders that recognition is not imminent and must align with conditions ensuring Israel’s security and Gaza’s rebuilding. He criticized Israel’s March 2024 aid blockade as a breach of international law, a view echoed in a May 2025 joint statement with Canada and New Zealand calling for humanitarian access to Gaza.

Opposition voices, including Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash, argue the government should prioritize condemning Hamas’s actions over symbolic gestures. Albanese’s measured stance reflects a delicate balance, navigating domestic expectations and global diplomacy. With no firm timeline, the decision hinges on strategic timing, with Labor sources indicating a possible move by year’s end alongside like-minded nations. For now, Australia’s position remains one of calculated restraint, prioritizing tangible progress over premature declarations.