By Abdulrahman Samer – Pressbee News
Canberra, August 11, 2025 — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday that Australia will formally recognize the State of Palestine next month during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing commitments from the Palestinian Authority regarding the future governance of Palestinian territories.
Albanese said the decision reflects Canberra’s support for a two-state solution, which he described as “the best hope to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and bring an end to conflict, suffering, and hunger in Gaza.”
The announcement comes after two weeks of consultations with leaders from the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, and Japan.
 
Israel’s Response and the Ongoing War in Gaza
Israel has strongly opposed the move, arguing that recognizing a Palestinian state at this time “rewards terrorism,” as its military campaign in Gaza continues. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, run by Hamas, at least 61,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel’s offensive. Over the weekend, five more deaths from hunger and malnutrition were reported, raising the total number of such deaths to 217.
 
Palestinian Authority’s Position
The Palestinian Authority welcomed Australia’s announcement, saying it reflects growing international support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged that Hamas will not be part of any future Palestinian government, a stance seen as pivotal in gaining Australia’s recognition.
 
What’s Next
Australia’s recognition will be formally declared in September during Albanese’s participation in the UN General Assembly meetings. The decision positions Australia alongside a growing list of countries supporting Palestinian statehood, a trend that has accelerated in recent years.
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