Australia to recognise Palestinian state at UN

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

On August 11, 2025, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a major announcement: Australia will officially recognise the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He said the decision was made to support peace in the Middle East, especially to help push forward the idea of a two-state solution—where both Israel and Palestine exist peacefully side by side. He also hoped this would help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and encourage the release of hostages being held.

Australia’s Conditions
Prime Minister Albanese made it clear that this isn’t just a symbolic move. Australia expects the Palestinian Authority to meet several conditions before a Palestinian state can be successful and peaceful. These include:

• Hamas, a militant group, must not be involved in the leadership of the future Palestinian state.
• The Palestinian Authority must reform how it governs.
• It must hold democratic elections.
• It must demilitarise, meaning it cannot keep armed forces that threaten peace.
• It must stop giving payments to the families of prisoners or those killed while attacking Israel.

Albanese described this as a rare opportunity to isolate violent groups like Hamas and support moderate, peaceful leaders who want a better future for both sides.

Talk with Israel
Just a few days before the announcement, Albanese had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, he told Netanyahu that the world needs a political solution, not more war. Albanese said that what has happened in Gaza recently has gone “beyond the world’s worst fears.”

He also blamed the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied territories—areas controlled by Israel but claimed by Palestinians—for making peace harder to reach. These actions, he said, were killing the hope of a two-state solution and making the situation worse.

Other Countries Join In
Australia is not alone in this decision. Other countries such as France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have also said they will recognise Palestine at the UN in September.

Globally, this is seen as an important shift. More and more countries are starting to support the idea of recognising Palestine, which puts growing pressure on Israel to return to peace talks and change its policies in Gaza and the West Bank.

Reactions Inside Australia
 Support
Some people and political groups in Australia welcomed the move. Leaders from the Greens Party said this was a good step—but only the beginning. They believe Australia should also stop selling weapons to Israel and consider sanctions (economic punishments) if human rights violations continue.

A national poll also showed public support. Around 45% of Australians support recognising Palestine, even without a final peace deal. Among younger Australians (ages 18–34), that number goes up to 57%.

Many Australians see this decision as a way to support peace and fairness, especially after so many innocent people have been hurt in the conflict.

 Opposition
But not everyone agreed. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, a major Jewish organisation, said this move felt like a betrayal. They believe it gives false hope to the families of Israeli hostages and might make peace even harder. They pointed out that Hamas still controls Gaza, and that nothing has been done to stop their actions.

Some opposition politicians also criticised the decision. They called it “premature”—too early—because important things haven’t happened yet. They said it would be better to wait until:

• Hamas gives up power,
• Hostages are freed,
• And Israel is promised long-term security.
• They worry this move could make things worse instead of better.

What’s Happening Globally?
Other countries are watching this carefully. For example, New Zealand said it’s also thinking about recognising Palestine soon.

This move by Australia is part of a bigger global trend. More governments around the world now want to support the Palestinian people and find a peaceful solution to the decades-long conflict with Israel.

Many leaders believe that recognising Palestine is the only way to get serious peace talks started again—and to give hope to the people who have suffered for far too long.

Why This News Matters
For students and young readers, here’s why this is important:

1. It’s a big change for Australia.
Australia used to always support Israel at the United Nations. Now it’s officially saying that both Israel and Palestine should exist as states, and that both sides have rights and responsibilities.

2. It could help with peace talks.
By recognising Palestine, Australia is showing support for peaceful leaders and pushing against violence. This might encourage other countries and groups to do the same.

3. It sends a clear message.
Australia is telling the world that military force is not the answer. Peace must come through talking, voting, and respecting people’s rights—not through bombs and fear.

4. Not everyone agrees—and that’s okay.
Some Australians feel the decision is too fast, while others think it should have come years ago. This is a debate that many countries are having right now.

What Happens Next?

• Here’s what to expect in the coming weeks:
• In September, at the United Nations, Australia will officially recognise Palestine. Other countries may join.
• The Palestinian Authority will need to show it is serious about making reforms, staying peaceful, and running fair elections.
• The world will be watching to see how Israel reacts—whether it decides to return to peace talks or keeps its current path.
• More countries may follow Australia’s lead. This could change the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This decision by Australia is a major moment in world politics. It comes after years of war, suffering, and broken peace deals. While some see it as a brave and hopeful step, others fear it could make things worse.

But one thing is clear: more and more countries are realising that peace cannot wait forever. Recognising Palestine is not just about land or politics—it’s about recognising people, their rights, their dreams, and their pain.

Australia recognises Palestine