Demilitarisation a key to Palestine statehood: Albanese
Israel’s support for recognising a Palestinian state could hinge on Hamas-controlled Gaza destroying its weapons, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Anthony Albanese
A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been floated as a path to peace in the region and is back in the spotlight following Hamas’ October 7 attack and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
In a visit to Lebanon last week, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron flagged his country could not recognise a Palestinian state while Hamas remained in Gaza.
But the top diplomat reiterated the UK’s support for a two-state solution and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to start talking about the things a Palestinian state can be rather than the things it can’t be”.
Mr Albanese acknowledged an agreement on a two-state solution was only possible if Israel returned to the negotiating table.
“We need to de-escalate,” he told ABC TV on Sunday.
“Part of that (two-state solution) might mean, for example, any existence of a Palestinian state would be one which was a demilitarised state as well. Those are the sort of issues that need to be on the table.
The United States, I know, is looking at these issues, as is the United Kingdom. Australia and certainly my government has a position of support for two states.”
The US and Britain have launched another round of strikes against 36 Iran-backed Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen in retaliation to attacks on shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea.
Three US troops were also killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan near the Syrian border last week.
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the latest strikes targeted sites linked with the Houthis’ deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems and radars.
Mr Albanese described the attacks as “proportionate”, declaring the US had got its response right and was playing a “responsible” role in the region.
“You can’t have the sort of attacks that we’ve seen and see no response,” he said.
Greens leader Adam Bandt heaped more pressure on the PM to withdraw his government’s support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza, ahead of appearing at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday.
“Israel’s government has cut off food and humanitarian aid, pushing Gaza into a humanitarian crisis,” Mr Bandt told Sky News TV.
“Labor must stop backing the invasion and join the community in pushing for a permanent ceasefire, the release of the hostages and an end to the occupation of Palestine.”
More than 1200 Israelis were killed and up to 240 taken hostage in the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the Australian government.
Israel’s subsequent bombardment, blockade and ground invasion has left more than 27,000 Palestinians dead and another 66,000 wounded, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s Hamas-led health ministry.
AAP
