Australia has joined 14 other countries to describe the recognition of Palestine as “an essential step towards the two-state solution”, while stopping short of the United Kingdom’s move to recognise Palestine statehood in September unless Israel takes urgent steps towards peace.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong co-signed a statement calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza and reiterating the countries’ “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders”.
Global pressure is mounting on Israel over starvation in Gaza.Credit: Getty
The nations said they had “already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-State solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call”.
The countries that signed the statement were: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.
The nations also said it was crucial to unify governance of Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, an idea that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly rejected.
The nations also condemned the “heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack of October 7 2023″ and urged all nations to establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday said “this is the moment to act” on statehood for Palestinians if Israel prolonged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and resisted moving towards a two-state solution.