Key Points
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hinted at the potential recognition of a Palestinian state.
- She said Hamas would need to have no role in a future Palestinian state.
- She added that the international community is considering Palestinian statehood as a path to a peaceful two-state solution.
In a significant change to the government's language on the Hamas-Israel war, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hinted that Australia would consider recognising a Palestinian state in which Hamas would play no role.
"The simple truth is that a secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians will only come with a two-state solution," she said in a speech at the Australian National University's National Security College 'Securing our Future' conference on Tuesday night.
"Recognition of each other’s right to exist. A Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel."
Wong added that a two-state solution was "the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence".
"This is why we are urging all parties to return to the table and support all efforts to advance a political process, including discussions between regional leaders."
She said the international community is now considering the question of Palestinian statehood as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution.
"There are always those who claim recognition is rewarding an enemy. This is wrong," Wong said.
"First, because Israel's own security depends on a two-state solution. There is no long-term security for Israel unless it is recognised by the countries of its region.
"Second, because there is no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state."
Talk of Palestinian statehood 'entirely premature'
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said talk of Palestinian statehood is "premature", and claimed Hamas had undermined the chance for peaceful Israeli-Palestinian relations.
"Any talk of recognition of Palestinian statehood in such close proximity to the 7 October attacks is entirely premature and will be seen as a reward for those attacks," he said.
"Before any talk of statehood is credible, Hamas must be removed and a new generation of Palestinian leadership must emerge, which isn't corrupt, don't condone violence and recognises Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State."
Wong also urged Israel not to go ahead with its , where Gazans had been told to shelter.
Following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers including , Wong said Israel "must make major and immediate changes to the conduct of its military campaign, to protect civilians, journalists and aid workers".
Hamas is a Palestinian political and military group, which has governed the Gaza Strip since the most recent elections in 2006.
Its stated aim is to establish a Palestinian state and stop the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, which is considered illegal under international law, including the Geneva Conventions and international legal jurisprudence.
Hamas in its entirety is listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and seven other countries, including Australia.
But the UN Assembly rejected classifying Hamas as a terrorist group in a 2018 vote.
In 2021 the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories dating back to 2014, including the recent attacks of both Israel and Hamas.
