Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that he had discussed the crisis in Gaza with his U.K. counterpart, Keir Starmer, and reiterated his government's strong support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Starmer this week said Britain was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly in response to growing public anger over the images of starving children in Gaza. Australia has not yet made a formal decision to recognize Palestine though Albanese supports Israel's right to exist within secure borders and Palestinians' right to demand their own state.
In a statement, Albanese said they agreed on the importance of using international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and the acceleration of aid. They also want to ensure militant group Hamas does not play a role in a future Palestinian state.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Thursday said the treatment of hostages and any involvement of Hamas in a future Palestinian state remained major obstacles for Australia but added the government would push for a two-state solution. "It's a matter of when, not if, Australia recognizes a Palestinian state ... but I don't want to put a time frame on it," Chalmers told ABC News.
