Sign in Subscribe
Albanese, Anthony

Australia Recognizes Palestinian State Amid Gaza Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sparked controversy after announcing his country will recognize a Palestinian state, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The decision was made after a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was criticized for being "in denial" about the crisis. Meanwhile, the death toll from malnutrition in Gaza continues to rise, with five people dying in the past 24 hours, including a child.

Key Takeaways:

  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "in denial" about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including the stopping of aid and loss of life at aid distribution points.
  • Five people have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the total number of malnutrition deaths to 222, including 101 children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
  • Netanyahu denies there is starvation in Gaza and has accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering to the people.
  • The UN has rejected this, saying there are obstacles and delays when collecting aid from Israeli-controlled border zones.
  • Australia will formally recognize Palestine in September, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, along with France, Britain, and Canada.
  • The recognition is "predicated" on conditions that the Palestinian Authority agrees to, including no role for terror group Hamas in a future government.
  • Albanese refused to say whether Australia would revoke its plans to recognize Palestine if the conditions weren't met.
  • The decision to support Palestine has seen a mixed response in Australia, with some groups calling it a "betrayal" and others saying it doesn't go far enough.

Statistics:

  • 222: Total number of malnutrition deaths in Gaza, including 101 children.
  • 5: Number of people who died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours in Gaza.
  • 80: Session of the United Nations General Assembly that Australia will recognize Palestine during.
  • 90,000: Number of pro-Palestinian protesters who walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month.

Sources:

  • Albanese, A. (Aug. 12). UPI.
  • "Gaza crisis: Five people die from malnutrition in 24 hours". BBC. [1]
  • "Australia to recognize Palestinian state". Al Jazeera. [2]

Read more