Liberal Party frontbencher and finance spokesperson James Paterson says Australia should only recognise a Palestinian state “after peace has been agreed and achieved” because not doing so would mean losing “all leverage” over the Palestinian Authority.
“They desperately want to achieve this international recognition, and they would be willing to do some things in exchange for that, including forswearing their desire to destroy the State of Israel in exchange for it,” he told Sky News Australia.
“But if you hand over that recognition, you have no further leverage to expect them to negotiate over.”
He also believes Israel, as the military power in the region, has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is fed and needs to take “all reasonable steps to make sure that that’s the case.” Israel’s failure to do so was harming its international standing, he said.
“But let’s not forget, Hamas’ crimes are very serious. They initiated this conflict. There was a cease-fire on the sixth of October. They initiated this conflict, and they prolong it every day by continuing to hold those hostages and by refusing to disarm,” he said.
“This conflict could end tomorrow. It is within Hamas’ power to end it tomorrow by releasing those hostages and laying down their arms, but starvation should never be a weapon of war, particularly against children.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to formally recognise Palestine during the U.N. General Assembly in September.
However, it was conditional on the Palestinian Authority holding an election in 2026 in which Hamas played no role, and that it agreed to other democratic reforms.
They also reiterated their “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also said last week that France would recognise Palestinian statehood in the near future.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his country would grant recognition in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agrees to a ceasefire, and commits to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.”
U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the moves, saying that “you could make the case that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded.”
