The recognition will come at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September. In a joint media statement, Albanese and Wong said the move is to “contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages”.
They say Australia’s decision helps build the historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East.
“Since 1947, Australia has supported Israel’s existence. In that year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Evatt chaired the UN committee that recommended the creation of two states side by side,” the statement reads.
“Then, as now, the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region.
“Australia was the first country to raise its hand at the United Nations in support of Resolution 181, to create the State of Israel – and a Palestinian state.
“More than 77 years later, the world can no longer wait for the implementation of that Resolution to be negotiated between the parties.”
Statement on the recognition of the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/Mg0Ec8buo1
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 11, 2025
The statement accuses the Netanyahu Government of “extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state”.
With the international community moving to establish a Palestinian state consistent with a two-state solution, Albanese and Wong say now is the time to seize the opportunity of major new commitments from the Palestinian Authority.
Those include to reform governance, terminate prisoner payments, institute schooling reform, demilitarise and hold general elections.
The Palestinian Authority has also restated its recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and the President of the Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed these commitments directly to the Australian Government, the statement says.
“Australia’s position is predicated on the commitments we have received from the Palestinian Authority. We will continue to work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments and to encourage normalised relations between Israel and its neighbours.
“The commitments by the Palestinian Authority are strengthened by the Arab League’s unprecedented demand for the terrorist organisation Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons.
“Together these factors mean that this is the best opportunity Australia may ever have to support moderate voices for peace in the region, to undermine extremism and to further isolate Hamas. This is the movement to which Australia and so many countries are seeking to add momentum.”
The Prime Minister’s statement also called for Hamas to release the hostages taken on October 7, 2023 “immediately, unconditionally and with dignity”.
It says the Australian Government has consistently made clear there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state.
Albanese and Wong say Australia is further compelled by the Netanyahu Government’s disregard of the international community’s calls, and its failure to comply with its legal and ethical obligations in Gaza.
“Israel is required to protect civilians and ensure the provision of food and medical supplies. Permanent forced displacement of civilians is illegal,” they say.
“Palestinian children deserve a future that looks nothing like their reality today.”
