Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says the recognition of a Palestinian state is “the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence” in the Middle East and a two-state solution would help ensure long-term security for Israel and further undermine Hamas.
In a speech on Tuesday, Wong again called on the Netanyahu government to abandon plans for a Gaza ground invasion in Rafah, urging Israel to make “major and immediate changes” to its military campaign to protect civilians and warning of imminent starvation among besieged Palestinians.
“Because the simple truth is that a secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians will only come with a two-state solution – recognition of each other’s right to exist,” Wong told an ANU National Security College conference.
The speech is her government’s strongest enunciation of a pathway beyond the Gaza conflict, going beyond Wong and the prime minister Anthony Albanese’s repeated mentions of Australia’s support for a two-state solution. Albanese said he had told Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a phone call last week of Australia’s “support for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security with prosperity side by side”.
In her speech, Wong said such a consensus would benefit Israel, as well as damage Hamas, which was responsible for the 7 October attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis.
“There are always those who claim recognition is rewarding an enemy,” she said. “This is wrong. 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. But the normalisation agenda that was being pursued before 7 October cannot proceed without progress on Palestinian statehood.”
Wong said there was “widespread frustration” at a lack of progress on the issue since the Oslo accords of the 1990s, as well as “the Netanyahu government’s refusal to even engage on the question of a Palestinian state”.
“So the international community is now considering the question of Palestinian statehood as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution,” she said.
Wong said a “reformed Palestinian Authority” would have to lead any Palestinian state, flatly rejecting any future role for Hamas. The minister said recognising a Palestinian state would “undermine Hamas, Iran and Iran’s other destructive proxies in the region”.
“A two-state solution is the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence,” she said. “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.”
After a meeting in March, Wong and the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, issued a joint statement affirming “both nations’ commitment to a two-state solution … and discussed how recognition might assist in giving momentum toward that goal”.
In her speech, Wong went on to raise alarm at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urge Israel to change course, again raising concern about the deadly IDF strikes that killed seven aid workers, including an Australian, Zomi Frankcom.
after newsletter promotion
She said Australia continued to call for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas but said Israel would be held to higher standards than the terrorist group.
“Any country under attack by Hamas would defend itself,” Wong said. “And in defending itself, every country is bound by the same fundamental rules.
“[Israel] must make major and immediate changes to the conduct of its military campaign, to protect civilians, journalists and aid workers. It must comply with the binding orders of the international court of justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.
“Six months on from 7 October, well over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of starvation. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many thousands of women and children.
“Hamas is a terrorist organisation. It has no respect for international law. Democracies seek and accept higher standards.
“This is why Australia and so many countries have called on the Netanyahu government to change course, including in respect of a major ground offensive in Rafah. Again we say, do not go down this path.”
Going on to voice concern about social cohesion at home, Wong also slammed the Greens and the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, for rhetoric on the Middle East conflict. She alleged some politicians “are manipulating legitimate and heartfelt community concern for their own ends”.