The Age/ David Crowe and Matthew Knott/9.4.2024 — 8.30pm
Whilst the two state solution is dead any efforts to challenge the evil that refuses to allow Palestinian statehood is welcome – Mark
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has cleared the ground for a pivotal debate on the conflict in the Middle East by suggesting Australia could recognise a Palestinian state without waiting for years of talks with Israel over a two-state solution.
Setting out a new case on a highly sensitive global question, Wong said Palestinian statehood could improve the chances for peace while “building momentum” toward a two-state agreement with Israel.
Israel withdraws troops from Gaza
But the foreign affairs minister declared that Hamas could not have any role in a future Palestinian state, that Israel had a right to defend itself against the terrorist group and that an enduring peace could only come with a two-state resolution with Israel.
The comments signal the government’s views ahead of a contentious move at the United Nations this week to consider adding Palestine as a full member of the international body, weeks after United Kingdom foreign secretary David Cameron argued in favour of recognising Palestine.
“We need to build the pathway out of the endless cycle of violence,” Wong said in a major speech to a security conference at the Australian National University on Tuesday night.
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