Anthony Albanese has said Australian recognition of Palestine, formally registered hours ago, is the realisation of decades of foreign policy targeted at advancing a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Albanese granted recognition at the United Nations in New York, after announcing his intention to do so last month.
With leaders from the UK, Canada and France, Albanese has called on a Palestinian state to be free from Hamas’ influence, democratic reform for the Palestinian Authority, and free and fair elections to determine governance in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour at the UN headquarters in New York.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
“Australia has had a two state, bipartisan position, and what we’ve done now is realise that,” Albanese told ABC TV moments ago.
“Through the recognition of Palestine, is a step forward towards a more peaceful resolution, towards what our vision is, which is Israelis and Palestinians living side by side, peace and security and advancing the prosperity of both people.”
Albanese will be meeting with several world leaders while in the US this week, where he said he would be pushing for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and the release of hostages taken in the conflict.
Read the full article here
