Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of being “in denial” about the humanitarian crisis and consequences of the Gaza war.
On Monday, Albanese announced that Australia will officially recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September a move following similar decisions by the UK, France, and Canada.
The Australian leader said frustration with the Israeli government’s actions played a role in the decision, adding that Australians “want to see an end to the killing and violence.”
Under increasing international pressure to end the Gaza conflict, Israel has condemned recognition of Palestinian statehood as “a reward for terrorism.” Netanyahu labeled Australia’s and other allies’ moves as “shameful.”
Netanyahu’s government faces growing global condemnation over reports of food shortages and starvation in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, five more people including one child died in the last 24 hours due to hunger, bringing the total death toll from malnutrition to 222, including 101 children.
Israel denies there is a famine in Gaza, accusing UN aid agencies of holding supplies at border crossings instead of distributing them. The United Nations disputes this, saying its convoys face Israeli-imposed delays and restrictions.
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Albanese said he had personally called Netanyahu last Thursday to inform him of Australia’s decision.
“What we’ve seen — the blocking of humanitarian aid, and civilians being killed while waiting in line for food and water — is simply unacceptable,” Albanese said.
“I told Prime Minister Netanyahu directly. He repeated the same line he’s said publicly denying the reality of what’s happening to innocent civilians in Gaza.”
Albanese stressed that the decision to recognize Palestine followed assurances from the Palestinian Authority that Hamas will have no role in a future Palestinian state.
The move has sparked mixed reactions in Australia. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry called it a “betrayal,” while some pro-Palestinian activists argued it doesn’t go far enough.
Conservative opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized the decision, calling it an “insult” to Australia’s key ally, the United States.
Earlier this month, a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney drew at least 90,000 supporters, marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge just one day after a court ruling allowed the demonstration.
Over the weekend, Netanyahu said recognizing a Palestinian state including by Australia is “shameful.”
“They know exactly what they would do if, just outside Melbourne or Sydney, they suffered such a horrific attack. I think they would do at least what we are doing,” Netanyahu said.
Since October 7, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel launched its offensive on Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.
